Rebuilding S185 Main Drive Idler......

[Wirenut2266]

Fellas: My machine has 4000+ hours on it. Been going through a few things here and when time permits, and just came across main drive idler, gave it a spin after loosening up, sound/felt like running gravel in it! Removed from machine and tore down which is quite easy, now try and get a few parts from your dealer for it and rebuild it to new is another story. It needs the bearing, seal, and brass bushing which can be sourced anywhere for the cheap. But the pointer is long gone, as well as 2 washers with offset holes in it which compress a spring. So.....contacting dealers(2) both said go with a complete new unit???? Come on now, I can rebuild this thing factory fresh for less than a $100, and both dealers want me to drop $400+???? Neither one wanted to even attempt to locate parts or numbers? The pointer is really not a big deal to me, but the two odd offset washers would be nice to have new. I spose I could make a couple, but I would believe that would take some serious time more than $$$$. Any of you folks had any luck sourcing parts, I just refuse to drop that kind of $$$ when the old unit is pretty decent yet. Main roller shows a little wear, but I can freshen that up on metal lathe and be just as good as new also.

 

[Tazza]

I put mine in the lathe and removed the ridges that you mention. I installed a new bearing and my pointer had the locator tang broken off. I welded a new one on and it worked great.
I know you are meant to set the tension so the pointer is at 3, but if just tighten it up so it's quite firm, you should be fine without the pointer to tell you are just right.
What washers are you talking about? It's been a while since i had one apart.

 

[Bobcatdan]

I put mine in the lathe and removed the ridges that you mention. I installed a new bearing and my pointer had the locator tang broken off. I welded a new one on and it worked great.
I know you are meant to set the tension so the pointer is at 3, but if just tighten it up so it's quite firm, you should be fine without the pointer to tell you are just right.
What washers are you talking about? It's been a while since i had one apart.

I don't think the idler inards are available from bobcat, but I never paid much attenion to the parts page. I just replace it. When I have to make a service call to the middle of field for a blown off belt, I'm not rebuilding the tensionor, 5 mins to replace it with a new one.

 

[Fishfiles]

I put mine in the lathe and removed the ridges that you mention. I installed a new bearing and my pointer had the locator tang broken off. I welded a new one on and it worked great.
I know you are meant to set the tension so the pointer is at 3, but if just tighten it up so it's quite firm, you should be fine without the pointer to tell you are just right.
What washers are you talking about? It's been a while since i had one apart.

before the pointer you used a belt adjustment tool and a fish scale , one inch of travel at 15 lbs of pull is the correct tension , I have two bars . one for 7 series ans one for 8 series , I had coupled them off an OEM years ago and fabricated them , if you can get a ber from someone it could be easily made --------the 7 series bar is a very useful tool for alternator , a/c and water pump belts and I use it very frequently