Changing Squeaky Toyota Corolla Tensioner Pulley 2000-2006

With the right tools it's easy to change a squeaky tensioner pulley without removing the complete tensioner arm. Tools needed: 19mm socket or wrench with long handle or cheater pipe, 21mm wrench or adjustable wrench 10mm socket, M10S specialty socket link to it below: www.amazon.com...

[@desconnolly6729]

Excellent video! It was really helpful to provide the part numbers for the tensioner pulley and for the special socket. The before and after segments demonstrating the difference between a “good” and “bad” sounding pulley was awesome!! Thank you.

[@bradleywesterford3587]

even tho its been 9 years, thanks alot for posting this video! made replacing tensioner pulley on my son's '06 corolla a breeze. I had a much easier time accessing the pulley from underneath the car, after removing the wheel and bottom shroud.

[@hugobravo1509]

Man you just save me from destroying my car. I was getting frustrated because i couldn’t get the pulley out but with this video you saved me a headache. Great video sir!!

[@Krolik314]

That is the socket I was looking for. Thank you.

[@Dat1derfulSound]

Van R, thanks a lot for this very well made video. It's exactly what I have been looking for but couldn't find, and like you said, all the diy vids have been on replacing the whole tensioner assembly. Wishing for a long and happy life for you and your family ☺️

[@mikefennema5561]

I loosened that tensioner bolt by placing a 9/16 box wrench around it then inserted six 3/32 drill bit shanks into the polts recesses for a near perfect fit. I did this with the tensioner assembly mounted in a vice.

[@dbs555]

I picked it the serpentine belt tool kit at Harbor Freight for around $20 last week. Nice leverage using it. Just remember that it is a slow pull towards the front of the car. An easy pull indicates that the hydraulic part of the tensioner assembly is bad and should be replaced.

[@dazz510]

Was the pulley noise the loudest at first start up. Then once warm can be heard but more subtle

[@mikefennema5561]

There is a work around to get the proprietary bolt out. You need a 9/16 box wrench and six 3/32 drill bits. Mount the tensioner in a vice pully up. Hold the 9/16 box around the pully bolt and insert the 3/32 drill bit shanks into the bolt slots between it and the wrench. This makes for a perfect fit that did not slip off.

[@amthevision8931]

I had a junk tensioner assembly and tried this. It works great!!! I cheated with another wrench on the end for leverage and carefully removed the bolt with a vise. Waiting to go to my shop or warmer weather to fix my car’s tensioner. Thanks

[@mikefennema5561]

@@amthevision8931 Glad it worked for you. I hate proprietary fasteners and software. It's there for one reason and costs us all.

[@Eurospec73]

Thanks for sharing this. I really appreciate it as my serpentine belt that I just replaced her go. I didn’t change my oil on time and I think oil started making the belt slip destroying the belt so now I think the idler pulley spins very fast so I’m going to replace that. If that Idler pulley spins really fast does that mean it’s bad ? I think it’s supposed to have a little tension and not roll like a rollerskate.

[@paulpeka2422]

Good morning, very informative video, Thank you Pauly Peka

[@kingfreedom1863]

It's funny must have been listening in on my conversations because I did not look up this video but for some reason it showed up

[@nofaithjusthope]

Hello, I need to replace my idler pulley on 1998 Corolla...do I need the M10S tool ? Or do you know what year Toyota started using that specialized bolt? I can't find that info anywhere...I have searched. Thanks

[@DavidHernandez-ue4fz]

@@JoelxCruz same tool for 2003 Toyota ecko?

[@olivecityauctions3033]

Do you have any idea if the Camry 2.4L motor would use the same bearing? Thanks. My 2002 Camry "J-VIN" (made in Japan) has the M10S bolt on it as well. Not sure what the differentiating factor is, but I have noticed that about 100% of aftermarket replacement belt tensioners do not utililize the M10S bolt. So again, my question, since nobody has made a similar video for the Camry; which bearing would I buy ?

[@hanielbomb]

Dude the fuk that camera is super crispy and clear. What’s your set up

[@MM0SDK]

Cheers for the heads up on this tool. Checking eBay for one now as I had a slight squeal the other day which didn't last long, but for the price of this tool, it's good to have for when it does go as they always do.

[@angelcontreras5736]

Se puede quitar la polea sin necesidad de quitar el tensor?

[@seanvanadia1019]

Is there any way to tell whether it's the pulley that needs to be replaced or the whole tensioner assembly?

[@schigara]

I was going to just remove the pulley to re-pack the bearing until I noticed it was a weird polyribe bolt. I figured I could make an E-Torx socket fit with some persuasion but I had to remove the tensioner assembly. Once removed I was able to lightly hammer an E-18 torx socket on the pulley bolt to remove it. It worked perfectly and barely damaged the head of the bolt.

[@MarkH8sU]

There is also a torx style bolt that holds the pulley on in place of the m10s bolt on some applications. I watched your video, bought the tool, went to take it off and the didnt even need the tool. A simple T50 fit fine. I did have to loosen the motor mount on the right fender (front) and raise the engine as the torx bit wouldnt fit with the lines andeverything else in the way. May be a difference in the engines as mine is a 1zz-ve. Not sure what you have there but you should make mention that there are different fasteners. My car is an '05 Corolla S.

[@DIYApprentice]

MarkH8sU The pulley on my nephew's 2000 Corolla is held on by a T50 torx.

[@DriverLuis]

Great content, very informative. Much appreciated!

[@syedmoizhusain]

Some corolla models, European ones have a T50 TORX bolt to open the tensioner pulley, this was in my case. i ordered TORX Key set (it was an extra long one to ensure sufficient force is applied) to open this bolt. T50 TORX Bit with adapter was not coming due to tight space between chasis and pulley.

[@Outsideville]

Thanks! This really helps. Since I don't have the tool, I'll just wait to replace the pulley.

[@Channel-About-Nothing]

Don't put it off to long and have it leave you stranded. Buy the tool and replace it.

[@Outsideville]

My pulley appears to have some kind of cap covering the bolt. I can't figure out how to get it off. Argh.

[@MarkH8sU]

Use a longer pry bar, set it on the edge of the cap and give the end a tap with the hammer. It will come off and be able to be put back on.

[@liamhealy4511]

Bruh.. very helpful. Why do cars insist on not using normal bolts and nuts?

[@lifestylemodificatio]

Thx for tip on tool. Worked 👍

[@karans9228]

Wanted to ask, what is the bearing width required? I see a 12 and 14mm option and am wondering what you used?

[@jcgrv]

Hello and thanks for the video. My belt was squealing quite a bit and I replaced it a few months ago. Everything was fine until recently, when I noticed this noise, which I thought came from the tensioner pulley. I noticed how it wobbled a bit. I replaced it last week with a new one. I still notice the same noise (not always, though). Sometimes I'll start the engine to move the car and it makes no noise, but I hear it when it revs up when putting it in park. So my question is if it wobbles at all in your Corolla. Everything else seems to be turning true and the belt is fairly new. If I squirt water into the belt grooves, the sound stops immediately. I'm thinking I may need a new tensioner assembly. I think I tightened the pulley properly. I have a 2003 Corolla, 203K miles. Thanks!

[@jairoc5156]

Hi, I have a 2001 Toyota RAV4, where did you find the pulley. Everywhere I've searched it only shows the fully idler assembly. Hope to hear from you soon. Thanks in advance.

[@DOUBLER187]

Hey when u turn the m10s bolt do u turn towards the front of the car or the back? Thanks a million for the video

[@Channel-About-Nothing]

I think it is a standard thread so loosen it towards the rear and tighten towards the front.

[@DOUBLER187]

Awesome thank u

[@DOUBLER187]

/2" DR x M10S, hex. 21mm is this the size of the socket in your video? I want to make sure I get the right one. Thank you.

[@JGSmash]

Can you just not use the long wench and go in from the wheel well I have a wobbly tensioner pulley in my 2001 2zzge

[@MarzNet256]

Hey Van R, nice how to video. I have a 2006 corolla matrix with fairly new belt which sqeeks a little. Tension seems fine. If I spray a bit of water on it sound goes away and stays quite. Lately the sound comes back after belt dries. I don't think its worn pulley bearings. Maybe a pulley misalignment? Any ideas? Thanks!

[@dkode420]

Hey man thanks for the insight on the tool. I wouldn't have known otherwise. It doesn't say anything about that bolt in the Chilton's book.

[@giuseppenero110]

How do you know if only the pully and not the entire tensioner assembly is required?

[@Javii96]

I'd like to save the 10 dollars, I think I'm gunna 3D print that socket. Especially if you said it came off easy. Time to grab my calipers!

[@Javii96]

Scratch that, I just checked. my pulley appears aftermarket and has a standard torx screw. I got those in the garage. Thanks for the video

[@dough3208]

Is there Any way to remove this weird M10s nut without the tool? My local parts dealer has none and fleabay has too much shipping cost. I am thinking Vice grips should remove it Or remove the whole tensioner and put the m10s nut in a vice to remove it and install a regular m10 bolt in its place .

[@m.m1048]

Hi ,did you remove the bolt with Vice grip or it didn't work?

[@benyamtesema4089]

Thanks a lot for ur help l did it

[@randyled9743]

Some models Tensioner pully is a Torx bolt. Not sure what size, may be a T47.

[@fattylumpkin3375]

Thank you!!!

[@Amorske215]

Could you use a universal socket? That one socket for 10 bucks idk, that's a bit much for something I'll probably never use again.

[@Channel-About-Nothing]

That's the thing, you have to have the special socket. You will never use it again, but it's cheaper than a shop will charge you to change it. Toyota was a jerk on this one.

[@crystrezerex2life]

nice vid bud, really good info.

[@philtrottier4442]

Very nice but you should have recorded the noise it was making before the repair.

[@jacobsparks4419]

Dude you just made my day lololol!!!!

[@latasha66]

Awesome. Thanks!

[@labor1100]

Thanks a lot.

[@alstevens44]

Is that a left hand thread bolt

[@Channel-About-Nothing]

alsteven44 If I remember correctly it is right handed

[@MRgnargnargnome]

my 2006 corolla must have a different pulley bolt?!?!?! It looks like a hex or something like that. the m10s tool will now fit. anyone els run in the this problem?

[@themike547]

SliFish my 2006 has the same issue, did u change it or find a way to get the pulley off? im having difficulty due to space restrictions. i do spin the bolt toward the windshield correct? any help would be greatly appreciated

[@nehalmascarenhas543]

+Themike547 2006+ uses a Torx T50

[@MRgnargnargnome]

+Nehal Mascarenhas thanks man.

[@MRgnargnargnome]

+Themike547 sorry I never saw your post. yeah its a torx head. left to loosen. not mush space to work with. it was a pain it the ars!

[@kingfreedom1863]

👍

[@lawrencejensen1240]

In 2021 that tool is non-existent

[@MarzNet256]

Hey Van R, nice how to video. I have a 2006 corolla matrix with fairly new belt which sqeeks a little. Tension seems fine. If I spray a bit of water on it sound goes away and stays quite. Lately the sound comes back after belt dries. I don't think its worn pulley bearings. Maybe a pulley misalignment? Any ideas? Thanks!

[@spettro9]

likely exactly the thing he changed in this video

[@MarzNet256]

@@spettro9 Was just a worn belt.