2 tensioner pulley questions

[ZiggyPA]

I've read that it's a good idea to replace the tensioner pulley.
Can it be removed, and does it require special tools?
Rockauto lists several brands: Dayco, Goodyear, ACDelco, Gates and 4 Seasons
Which is the best and the worst?

[HotZ28]

What year & what engine?

[ZiggyPA]

1991 base model

[HotZ28]

Thanks for posting the year/engine. If the tensioner pulley has a lot of miles on it, it would be a good preventative measure to replace it. I don't think any of the brands mentioned are either superior/inferior to the others. The pulley bolt is a left-hand thread, so you would turn it clockwise to loosen.

[ZiggyPA]

Thanks Hotz, so I take it it can be replaced without special tools? One shop overhere said the only way was to replace tensioner and pulley in one piece (but maybe they just wanted to sell a whole tensioner..)
I don't know how many miles the pulley has on it, but for ±$15 I'm not taking a chance.

[HotZ28]

Originally Posted by ZiggyPA

Thanks Hotz, so I take it it can be replaced without special tools? One shop overhere said the only way was to replace tensioner and pulley in one piece (but maybe they just wanted to sell a whole tensioner..)

Either they don't know what they are doing, or they just want $$$

I don't know how many miles the pulley has on it, but for ±$15 I'm not taking a chance.

Neither would I!

[ZiggyPA]

I also enquired at the GM dealer overhere, they could only order the idler pulley as part of the complete tensioner, costs $305 + sales tax (19%)