Litens OAD™ Closeup

[@michaelovitch]

It's the accessory belt. The timing belt have teeth on it. i would change the alternator pulley there is a clutch pulley wich must be seized. You need a special tool for this.

[@Litens-Aftermarket]

The recommend replacement mileage for normal diving conditions is 45,000 to 75,000 miles on this application. Please note you can buy and replace just the OAD and do not need to buy an entire alternator. Advance Auto carries or can order just the OAD under part # 920810A. NAPA, Carquest, and O'Reilley's should also have the part available separate from the alternator. Also, Advance has begun including a tool with their OAD's to make it more cost effective to change just the OAD.

[@Litens-Aftermarket]

The OAD was included in the system to save life on other system components (e.g. tensioner, W/P, pulleys, etc...). The OAD's are meant to be the sacrificial part to smooth out the system and help extend the life for other system components. This is a harsh drive and would be infinitley worse without the OAD.

[@UnzippedBanana]

Thanks for reply but I replaced whole alternator already. It wasn't cheap but it does work properly now. :)

[@UnzippedBanana]

Ok. I've got a question about that very annoying problem with my car. I've got a 2004 VW Passat 1.9 TDI and its timing belt (or which ever it is in front of the engine) makes squeaky noise but only when I steer while stationary and/or when engine is at about 900 rpm (idle). I tried changing the belt twice - didn't fix it; tried putting new tensioner - didn't fix it as well..... Now I'm asking if I should change only alternator pulley or whole alternator? Please respond someone!

[@davidparker9676]

You probably don't have the car anymore, but I would look at the power steering pump before doing anything else.

[@mnjholsapple]

P.O.S. design for the Dodge Caliber with thousands of complaints online regarding these OAD's

[@mnjholsapple]

If by sacrificial you mean every few years then that would make sense. Unfortunately there are complaints (in Dodge forums) that these decouplers are failing all the time. My Caliber that is only 5 years old has a sound like a bunch of rocks are inside my engine. This is due to the decoupler bearings failing. This an unnecessary expense to me and of others that are resigned to buying new alternators because of a bearing failure in these OAD's. The alternators themselves are 100% operational.

[@davidparker9676]

Change the pulley and be ready to do it again in the specified interval. Don't buy Dodge if you want quality.