2001 SL2 idler pulley prob

ok, took the wife's car into the dealership because i didn't want to start replacing parts without knowing the exact cause of all the engine noise, i suspected the idler pulley and their diagnostic confirmed that i had a bad pulley with worn bearings. so i figure it'll be an easy switch until i look at the location of the idler pulley and it looks like a total freaking mess. has anyone here changed one of these out? how did you get to it? my guess is from the bottom with the car jacked up and the splash guard removed. thanks for any advice.

Yep.......yer pretty much right. Remove yer upper motor mount, place a floor jack and piece of wood under yer oilpan, and jack until you have enough clearance..............Its all cake from there.!!!!!

hey thanks for the quick reply. i appreciate the help.

...i didn't want to start replacing parts without knowing the exact cause of all the engine noise...

hmmm... can you describe the noise?
I'm hearing a kind of rattling noise on the passenger side of the engine just since the cold weather started. It seems to happen mainly with momentum changes... when shifting or braking while in gear... and only until the car warms up good. After driving for 10 to 15 minutes (or on a warm day) I don't hear it at all. I suspected the tensioner maybe... but could this be the idler pulley? I've got a 2001 SL2, but with only 15000 miles on it, I don't want to chase the wrong symptom.

Kenn http://webpages.charter.net/kenn3d/DSCI0016.jpg