1988 Ford Ranger 2.0L pulley bearings?

[SolusUmbra]

Yesterday I went to use my truck and it had an off sound to it, and was told it sounds like a pulley bearing. I’ve never messed with my belts before so I’m finding myself a bit nervous about what to do. My mechanic is out of town for the week and I’m being told it’s easy….. I’m not sure how to post a Video on here so I hope it’s ok I post a link to Reddit. I’m hoping it’s on the serpentine belt and not on my timing belt. In the video it looks like the timing belt on top is bouncing around but I’ve never paid attention so I don’t know if it’s normal or not. Any helpful tips and tricks for this poor soul? I don’t have a lot of strength thanks to arthritis so I’m worried that even if I get it off I won’t get it back on.

 

[zhaarnak02]

Pick up yourself a Mechanics Stethoscope at either Harbor Freight or an auto parts store. They are fairly inexpensive, simple to use, and will allow you to positively locate the "offending" item. You will be amazed at just how many different things you will be able to identify, and the developing problems you can catch the longer you use one of these tools. Once you have used one for a while, you will be able to detect many things. I am able to detect timing chain noise, identify and locate a specific, problematic lifter or rocker arm, and so much more. This tool is, in my opinion, priceless.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This tool will also detect the noise from the steel fan blade hitting the tool's probe. The sound transmitted to your ears will be QUITE memorable. I refuse to say who did this very thing..........................

 

[zhaarnak02]

If you hold the stethoscope tip to the aluminum front and rear housing of the alternator you WILL hear if a bearing is failing. The alternator in your photo "looks" like the GM CS130, and if it IS, one of their common (out of many) failure points was the rear bearing (entirely too small). To check the water pump, place the probe tip on the pumps body just behind the water pump pulley. You will be able to hear if the pumps bearing is on it's way out. Do be watchful of certain rotating objects.................. Been doing this for so many years that I have a "certain" number of "OOPS, I am certainly wide awake NOW" I think the "Top Billing" experience was when I found the ignition problem in the HEI ignition of an early 80s Chevy. THAT one certainly woke me up

 

[The_Jeff]

Alternator bearings are a common failure point and cheap enough to replace. Or you can get a used alternator for $40 from a wrecking yard. Or even do a "3G upgrade" (look it up.)

Why's the nut missing from the alternator tensioning slot stud? Should be one there, probably 7/16-14. If it's still holding belt tension that pinch bolt, the only other alternator mounting bolt, is working overtime.

 

[tcp71]

Does the timing belt not have a cover? Looks pretty worn and dirty.

 

[zhaarnak02]

There may (at one point) have been a bracket with a square hole to aid in tensioning the belt at that location?

 

[SolusUmbra]

Alternator bearings are a common failure point and cheap enough to replace. Or you can get a used alternator for $40 from a wrecking yard. Or even do a "3G upgrade" (look it up.)

Why's the nut missing from the alternator tensioning slot stud? Should be one there, probably 7/16-14. If it's still holding belt tension that pinch bolt, the only other alternator mounting bolt, is working overtime.

I have no idea my dad replaced it last time when I was still a youngen. I don’t know what it’s suppose to look like.

 

[The_Jeff]

^ You can tension by putting an adjustable wrench on the alternator "ear" with one hand while running the nut down with the other.

 

[SolusUmbra]

Does the timing belt not have a cover? Looks pretty worn and dirty.

Timing belt just got replaced it’s new, I had a cover but it was cracked and several mechanical advised me to remove it. I haven’t had the money to replace it.

 

[SolusUmbra]

^ You can tension by putting an adjustable wrench on the alternator "ear" with one hand while running the nut down with the other.

What’s the ear?

 

[JohnnyG]

What’s the ear?

It's the square protrusion just below the bolt with the missing nut.
It appears that in this case it is the perfect size to slip the hollow end of a 1/2" drive extension over it to act as a lever. You apply the tension with your right arm, and tighten the nut with your left. AND don't forget the washer under the nut, it's missing too.

 

[zhaarnak02]

Gawd. So many of the older rigs were an absolute dream to work on compared the absolute crap we have now.

 

[CleanSump]

I circled the "ear" in red. You are not missing a nut and washer; you have an over-long bolt sticking out the front of the alternator. The bolt is loosened and tightened from the backside with a socket wrench.