Tensioner pulley

I have a 2001 Windstar with more than 100K miles; I have just replace the
serpentine belt ( which was looking very nice for the millage and never been replaced before) and I have noticed that the tensioner pulley was in bad condition, noisy and loose, moving from side to side. The tensionner is very close to the lower side rail and the bolts to remove it, not very easy to acces.
I'm wandering if I can just replace the pulley ( available at Advance or Autozone stores) I mean is it difficult to remove the center bolt that hold the pulley to the tensionner without removing it from the engine?

On my 98, it was necessary to remove the tensioner assembly in order to replace the pulley.

Found it very convenient to have an impact gun when removing/installing the "pulley" bolt. If you don't have one, you should probably break the pulley bolt loose before removing the assembly....otherwise you may have trouble holding it and turning a ratchet at the same time.

Beginning in '99, the engine got rearranged quite a bit. The PS pump comes off quite easily ... then the tensioner ... or is the other way around? There is one hidden bolt ... a small mirrow will be useful.

I would strongly suggest you go ahead and purchase the new part (I believe it comes as an assembly) ... then you will know more about what you are dealing with.

Do yourself a favor and change the idler pulley at the same time you change the tensioner. Its only another $25. I didn't and mine went out 6 months after I did the tensioner and it took out my belt.

Beginning in '99, the engine got rearranged quite a bit. The PS pump comes off quite easily ... then the tensioner ... or is the other way around? There is one hidden bolt ... a small mirrow will be useful.

I would strongly suggest you go ahead and purchase the new part (I believe it comes as an assembly) ... then you will know more about what you are dealing with.
This is my final post for this thread. According to your recomandation I have replaced the complete unit ( tensioner assembly). For future reference, 1 bolt can easily be removed from the bottom, the 2 others on the top can be reach with a 3/8 ratchet with 10mm bolts but your hand has to be "a delicate woman's hand" ( fortunatly mines are like that :):):) otherwise, like mentioned by 120unce you will have to move off the PS pump.