So I was on my way home from the store in my 94 dakota, and i started hearing a clicking sound. Eventually the power steering went out. When i got home i popped the hood and I noticed the serpentine belt came off, so the hunt began to find out what caused this.

I am not the greatest car mechanic in the world but i found the problem. One of the wheels on the engine was crooked and there was a big old crack near the bolt.

Now my friend who IS a decent mechanic said he would replace it, i just need to buy the parts.

So my question is, what is this called. I circled it in red. It's on the v8 magnum engine. Idler pulley?

 

It's either the idler wheel, or the tensioner wheel.

Checking an exploded parts diagram ( such as at http://www.factorychryslerparts.com/...category=20304 ), it is described as the idler (the tensioner is in part of the cut away portion of the picture you have).

RockAuto has them ... http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/d...er+pulley,6956 .

Or your local parts store can sell you one.

DO be aware, the cheaper pulleys are, well, cheap.

I'd stick with an ACDelco, Mopar, Gates, or Continental unit myself; but your truck.

It's dog easy to replace also; one bolt out, one bolt in.

While replacing the belt (do THAT also!), I highly recommend the Continental Elite (it's the current production of the fabled "Goodyear Gatorback" that solves SO MANY chirping problems on vehicles.) Again, RockAuto lists it http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/d...rive,belt,8900

If you're having your mechanic replace it for you, I'd suggest in the "Do it now rather than later!" list, replace the tensioner. Once more, RockAuto listing: http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/d...ensioner,11659

Do be aware you can take the part numbers from those listings and cross them at the local auto parts store.

But if you're doing it yourself, the idler pulley, the belt, and possibly the tensioner will be under $100 shipped for the high end parts; you may NEVER touch them again during the life of your truck!

RwP

 

Idler Pulley http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/d...er+pulley,6956 I found cleaning the grooves of all of the pulleys with sand paper and brake cleaner and wire brush helps with chirp as well.

 

Awesome, thanks so much guys!