i'm having to change the idealer pully on my 97 f-150 and don't know if i should go to ford or somewhere else. should i replace the tensioner also i'm going to put a new belt on it also. just want to know whats going to last and find out from someone thats tried it and knows what to do in this position. has a 4.6 v8. please help need to know asap so i can put it on before the weekend. going 500 mile up the road.

 

In my opinion, dealers should be avoided unless you like paying a 400% markup. I usually buy all my parts at NAPA, and since I have AAA I get a 7% discount on most parts. I've never had any problems with the pulleys I've got from them. Usually their parts are of better quality than AutoZone, Advance Auto, O'reilly, etc. I wont even walk into an AutoZone anymore.

You might as well replace both the tensioner and pulley at the same time while you have the belt off.

 

thanks, i used to work for napa up until i came to ohio for college. i have always done just what you said but the dealer was cheaper on the pulley andtensioner where 30 dollars less than napa or advance???????? so i really quized by this. anyway do you need a speacail tool to get to the tensioner to lossen the belt?

 

Well thats odd, but if it's cheaper then I guess you can't get much better quality than OEM (I would hope).

I believe that the tensioner should have a square hole that you can use a 3/4" ratchet handle or breaker bar to release the tension.

 

thank you for every thing. it went great and i went home and came back and did wonderful.