2003 Suburban Belt Tensioner Pulley

[Fitz98]

I want to replace my belt tensioner pully on my 2003 5.3 Suburban 1500.
When I took it off to change water pump, I noticed the bearing sounds dry and I do have a squeaking noise coming from the engine compartment, so maybe this is the problem.
I wanted to use OE, but noticed the OE Delco only has a 2 bolt mounting, whereas the one I have is a 3 bolt (same as Delco Professional)
Anyone know anything about the difference, why there is a difference and which is the better part for the application?

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Are you actually able to mount the third bolt somewhere on your car?

 

[zzyzzx]

We needs pics to better assess. Rock Auto catalog shows two different types:


Gates 38158:

Gates 38159:

 

[redhat]

LS motors use two serpentine belts. One belt, with the 2-bolt tensioner, runs the A/C compressor. It sits closer to the timing cover on the balancer.

The other belt uses the 3-bolt tensioner and is the main serpentine/accessory drive. Sits closest to the radiator/farthest out on the balancer.

 

[bdcardinal]

LS motors use two serpentine belts. One belt, with the 2-bolt tensioner, runs the A/C compressor. It sits closer to the timing cover on the balancer.

The other belt uses the 3-bolt tensioner and is the main serpentine/accessory drive. Sits closest to the radiator/farthest out on the balancer.

When I did the water pump on my Silverado I changed both tensioners and the idler as well as both belts. Wasn't going to do that job and put old parts back on.

 

[Fitz98]

Here is the link to the OE Delco drive tensioner pulley from Rock Auto. Only 2 mounting holes that I can see:
Delco OE Drive Tensioner Pulley

The Delco Professional has 3 mounting holes:
Delco Professional Drive Tensioner Pulley

 

[mattd]

They are two different tensioners you have on the engine. One isn’t better than the other, they do different things. Just get the 3 bolt one (as you say that is the one is bad).

 

[clinebarger]

12580162 three bolt tensioner was superseded by a two bolt tensioner part# 12609719.

 

[Fitz98]

12580162 three bolt tensioner was superseded by a two bolt tensioner part# 12609719.

Thanks, I am a little confused about why 2 mounting points would be better than 3. Were there problems with the 3 bolt tensioners? I have 200k miles on my 3 bolt.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

12580162 three bolt tensioner was superseded by a two bolt tensioner part# 12609719.

which bolt is missing in the new one?

 

[clinebarger]

Thanks, I am a little confused about why 2 mounting points would be better than 3. Were there problems with the 3 bolt tensioners? I have 200k miles on my 3 bolt.

Truck versions of the LS engine were the only ones to use 3 bolt tensioners, The "Car" versions have always used a 2 bolt design. I'm sure it come down to money.

I haven't had/seen any issues with 2 bolt tensioners.

 

[clinebarger]

which bolt is missing in the new one?

The lower one....