Has anyone heard of the automatic belt tensioner pulley failing on the Vipers? Mine is a 1996 GTS. Just after crossing the finish line of an autocross I heard my belt squealing. A fellow autocrosser brought a plastic ring to me that he said fell off my car after I crossed the finish line. It turns out it was the "front face" of the tensioner pulley! Upon investigation, it turns out that the outer portion of the pulley broke away from the inner bearing section and the bearing housing appears to have broken apart. Additionally, the front face of the pulley sheered completely off! It almost looks as if parts of the pulley melted, but it is hard to tell.
The only modification I've done in this area is replacement of the power steering pump pulley with the aluminum one made by Ipsco. I followed all directions and even changed the position of the power steering pump shaft to ensure the pulley was in line with the other pulleys (per Mark's instructions). My car delivers about 10% more horsepower than factory due to air box and exhaust modifications.
Perhaps this is a common failure similar to the plastic power steering pump pulley failure? Maybe the bearings just froze up and the belt spun the pulley hard enough to break it away from the bearing hub? Perhaps something else entirely is wrong and got the pulley so hot it failed? Is there any history on this subject someone could impart on me, or point me toward?
Thank you in advance.
Ken
The only modification I've done in this area is replacement of the power steering pump pulley with the aluminum one made by Ipsco. I followed all directions and even changed the position of the power steering pump shaft to ensure the pulley was in line with the other pulleys (per Mark's instructions). My car delivers about 10% more horsepower than factory due to air box and exhaust modifications.
Perhaps this is a common failure similar to the plastic power steering pump pulley failure? Maybe the bearings just froze up and the belt spun the pulley hard enough to break it away from the bearing hub? Perhaps something else entirely is wrong and got the pulley so hot it failed? Is there any history on this subject someone could impart on me, or point me toward?
Thank you in advance.
Ken
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