Belt tensions adjuster bearing fell off?!

[FXD]

I was driving my newly acquired 2007 3.0R Spec B last night when I heard a loud clatter and then my battery light and engine light came on, and I lost power steering. I checked my engine and saw my fan belt had come off. I went back and checked down the road and found the source of the clattering noise, a round bearing which held one of the belts in place. Looking at H6 engine fan belt diagrams, this is the 'belt tension adjuster'.

Any idea how this failed and came off my car? Will it be an easy fix? The dealership I bought from offers used statutory warranty and luckily I'm still within the three month window. I bought it in NSW and exported it to Perth, hopefully no issues with getting it repaired under warranty.

[chanham]

had this exact same thing happen to me about two months ago.

one of the idle pulleys bearings were loud as, replaced the pulley and a few days later another pulley + belt came off, resulting to no power steering etc.

the assembly to replace was about 230 new from subaru, my brother who was a mechanic fitted it in like 15-30 mins...seemed like a pretty straight forward job.

[BillyCorgi]

Crankshaft turns clockwise looking from the front.
Serpentine Poly-V belt turns the idler anticlockwise.
Bearing starts to seize and turns the inner race anti-clockwise along with the pulley.
Anticlockwise turning inner race loosens off the fixing bolt.
Presto, pulley falls off.

A replacement 6203.2RSR bearing as about $5 to $6.
Check the bearings and the bolt every service.

[FXD]

Thanks for the replies guys. Doing a bit more research I can see this is a common failure for the H6 engines. Replacing the pulley doesn't seem too hard, but what about the replacement for what the pulley attaches to? As you can see in my pics it's been damaged. Is there a replacement part number for that?

Cheers

EDIT: Just realised part number 23769AA003 will give me the whole assembly, not to worry. Carry on.

[BillyCorgi]

Watch out for the other idler (E)
It sits on a protrusion on the A/C Compressor Bracket
$$$$

Take very good care of that bearing.

By the way, your photo shows that the remains of the bearing in the idler pulley has no shield.
Looks like catastrophic bearing failure.

It should have been very noisy during the sale of the car?
Strange that it was not picked up?

[FXD]

You think I should replace the bearing in the belt idler (E) as a preventative measure?

I must admit I am not the most mechanically minded so I didn't hear too much when I purchased the car. My Dad who is a bit more mechanical drove my car and didn't mention anything, but he's not familiar with these Subarus.

With the problem I have now, do I just get replacement part 23769AA003 and unbolt the old part and bolt the new assembly on then put the fan belt back on? Is that as simple as the fix is?

[BillyCorgi]

I would replace the bearing in Idler (E)
They are not expensive down at the bearing wholesaler shop.

If you have access to a vice and some round tube, etc, they are a pretty straight forward press-out and press-in replacement.

Get the replacement 23769AA003 and also get a 6203.2RSR bearing and replace the bearing in the other idler.
While you are at it, you might buy three 6203.2RSR bearings and keep two ready for next time.

I have a spear pair ready in my w'shop ready for when I need them.

[FXD]

Thanks BillyCorgi. I have seen in other threads people are saying the bearing is 6203.2RSJ - is there any difference?

The dealer I bought the car from have said they can source a part for $82 from Auto Shack, or they are happy to just give me $200 and source my own part and mechanic to fix. Partsouq has the part for $59 (+$29 shipping) so I'm just going to take the money.

I'm decent with a socket - is this something I could fix myself or would it be best to get a mechanic to put the belt back on correctly?

[BillyCorgi]

I have had the tensioner off and on.
Not TOOOO difficult. But be patient.
The fixing bolts are hidden under the power steering pump and I dropped them several times before finally getting them started.

The belt is a bit of a cow to get back on but doable.
You will know how when you have finished.

You want a 6203 bearing with twin seals.
Manufactures numbers vary between manufacturers.
2RSJ is a twin seal bearing for alternator application, so it should be good for the idler pulley

[elljay]

How did you go with this? the exact same thing happened to me last week, prob even the same day lol. Just bought the replacement from Partsouq, should hopefully be here this week. Was easy as taking the old one off too.

[FXD]

The part should be arriving from partsouq today or tomorrow. I've booked it in at my local K Mart Tyre and Auto, says he can replace the part for $65.

I asked him if he could replace the bearing in my other pulley, before it fails but he said he won't replace the bearing, he would want to replace the whole part. Ok then....?

I'm going to buy a few spare bearings tomorrow and see if I can replace the bearing in the non-failed pulley myself. Any tips on what tools I need (I'm guessing at least a socket wrench) and how to get the bearing in and out?

Since the car can still drive (albeit with no power steering or alternator) I'm going to drive it the 3.5km to KMart. Fingers crossed.

[Brunsy3.0]

Damn this has got me paranoid now. Nearly due for serpentine belt replacement so when thats due both of these bearings are getting changed
Cheers for the heads up. Sometimes its better to be proactive

[Out6ack]

I changed both tensioner & idler bearings yesterday. VERY easy job. Removed both pulleys and took them down to the local mech along with my new $8 bearings. Ten minutes & $10 later, job done. It honestly didn't take longer than 5mins to remove or replace the pulleys. The tensioner is actually nut & bolt, so hold the nut in place when removing the bolt. Get your 14mm spanner and pull hard towards passenger side to finally slip belt over the idler for the win. Start drinking the carton of beer that you just saved yourself!

[bigBADbenny]

That bearing info is great coulda saved $$ but will of for next time

[elljay]

$65... Do it yourself, it's 2 bolts. Mine should be here today. Taking both pulleys into capital bearings to have the bearing replaced and pick up a new belt. Should be all back together tonight.