After hearing an occasional "churping sound" from the idler pulley for the alternator, I ordered a set of bearings thinking I might need to replace them. After further checking, I found the belt was not tight enough (I have the older idler system which used an adjustment bolt rather than the later spring loaded idler pulley) I tightened the adjustment bolt and the noise went away.
I had ordered a new set of bearings from Prevost, thinking I would change them when I had time. I thought I would pick up the caps that cover the bearings in case I damaged them during replacement, only to find that Prevost does not have them, not does Detroit Diesel.
Has anyone attempted replacing these bearings? If so, are the caps damaged beyond re-use during the replacement?
If they are not changeable, I do not need to keep the bearings as spares (50.00+ each).
The newer spring loaded idler system is in excess of $1,300.00 at Detroit Diesel, so hope I do not have to change the entire idler system.