I'm having problems with my idler pulley.
I have recently replaced my belts. In order to replace the p/s a/c belt, I removed the idler pulley, and then reinstalled it. It should be the simplest thing to do, but I'm afraid I might have messed up somehow, or maybe lost a piece.

When I reinstalled it, I put on the pulley, followed by that metal plate thing, followed by the bolt. This caused the pulley to be flush and tight against the metal piece behind it (where the idler pulley adjustment screw is). When the car was running, I noticed that the idler pulley was not moving at all. Did I install it wrong?

I tried again. This time I put on the metal plate thing first, then the pulley, then the bolt. Now the pulley was able to turn. However, one trip around the block and my p/s a/c belt had torn in half. I'm not sure what caused it. I'm pretty sure it was tight enough. I didn't hear any squeaking.

Any ideas? Do I lose a part somewhere that I need?

Thanks,
Matt

 

No first hand experience with removing the idler pulley, but found this image for '95 model that may help. Good luck.

 

Hey, thanks for the pic. Can you tell me where you found it? Was it in the shop manual? The pulley looks a little different than what I have on my 93. Or I might have lost a couple of parts.

 

this is out of the parts fische(?) for a 93'. you can find it at mazdaformance.com

 

Yeah, it sounds to me like you lost the spacer which is number 15-933 in the picture above. The spacer keeps the pulley shoulder from contacting the bracket assembly and also allows the pulley to be aligned properly with the belt.
Art

 

Cool, thanks for the help guys. I don't know how I lost that part, but now I know what I need.