• The site migration is complete! Hopefully everything transferred properly from the multiple decades old software we were using before. If you notice any issues please let me know, thanks! Also, I'm still working on things like chatbox, etc so hopefully those will be working in the next week or two.

Replacing tensioner pully on my GXP

E

Eddie Jackson

New member
I had the water pump on my stock 2006 GXP replaced a few weeks ago, and as the guy who was replacing it was taking the tension off the belt to remove it, his tool slipped and it hit into the tensioner pulley and cracked a chip out of it about half way across the grooves. I didn't know this until last night when I found a crack down the middle of the the belt, upon further inspection found the chunk missing from the pulley. I got a new pulley but am unable to get the old one off, as it takes a special bit which I finally found, but can't get it to budge no matter what I do. I checked with one GM dealership who said the pulley itself can't be replaced, the whole tensioner has to replaced to a tune of like $650.00 including tax. I checked with another GM dealership who said the pulley can be replaced, and would only take about 30 minutes. Has anyone else ever had to replace this pulley. If so, is it at all possible to do the job myself and are there any tips or tricks that may help me? Ideally, I would like to change it myself, just to say I did.
 


what does the part holding the pulley on look like? is it a star shape? center of the pulley that is.

there should be some kind of bolt holding it on.
 
you would need to pick up a set of torx bits. if its a large star it may be a T55. they sell the large ones individually, they cost about $5 bucks.

if you can drive it to the store, most places will let you go in and out with a tool to see if it fits. the place by me asks to hold your drivers lic while you figure out what size you need.


depending where that pulley is, it maybe a reverse thread. so if it wont break free turning it left, try right before something breaks.
 
Okay...I will try that...space down there is just SOOO limited between that and the inner fender, I may end up having to take off the whole tensioner to get that bolt out to replace the pulley.
 
i have a bottle jack, the pump handle pipe is 12 inches long and fits my ratchet like a glove, its how i get that deep tight stuff. and tight stuff.

im not familiar with your engine at all or the pulley placement. the torx bit is about a inch long but sets in the bolt some, so if you have at least 2 inches of room you should be ok.

i could only imagine how tight it must be in there. good luck
 


These can be a mans best friend for belts and pulleys. You can buy different bits for whatever you need.

VS782.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top