97 GP GT Tensioner question

:banghead: My son's 97 Grand Prix GT threw the accessory belt yesterday. The top tensioner pulley is VERY wobbly, and I am curious if the tensioner assembly needs to be replaced or can I get away with replacing just the pulley... Your help is appreciated!

Welcome to AF.

The tensioner pulley is replaceable by itself without changing the entire assembly, as long as just the pulley is wobbly. The bolt that retains it is left hand (reversed) thread (loosens clockwise, not counter-clockwise), so don't overtighten it (and snap it off) trying to loosen it.

Thank you, and yes... Parts monkeys must die. LOL!

i had the same thing happen to mine, i just replaced the pully and its been workin good since

Well... I replaced the pulley, and while I was putting the belt on, the freaking bolt stripped out. Who was the genius that decided that the pulley retaining bolt should double over as the tensioner adjustment tool if it's possible to strip it out? I didn't even use the breaker bar. I used a 3/8 ratchet. Bah! Now, I have to replace the whole assembly.

:banghead:

Are you using the correct size socket on it? I believe its a 15mm.

I used a 15 mm socket. The bolt wasn't damaged during the replacement of the pulley. It wasn't until I tried to rotate the tensioner pulley so I could install the belt that I ran into trouble. I was so excited, because the pulley was $15 instead of $80 for the assembly.

Oh well... the advice was great, and very helpful. Thank you for that! It was just bad luck that the bolt stripped. That's not entirely accurate, though. The bolt is still fine. The aluminum alloy assembly on my son's car is just weak, but it will be replaced tomorrow.