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Idlers on the DDS60
When the big DD was running and I was standing back there listening I could hear a whine or constant scream. Something didn’t sound exactly right. I had noticed on the forum that there has been several conversations about Idlers and belts. I decided to check them. I slacked the belts and gave one of the cast iron idlers that turn the 24V generator a spin. There she was, noisy. That was easy…. Check the next one below worse. Man I really missed a disaster on the side of the road I am sure glad I checked them. I unbolted the entire tension assembly and bolted it down to a steel table. A great way to hold it down while I was doing the disassembly. The dust caps looked like they were going to be a booger to get off. There was no tapping on them to get them loose. They were stuck on there like Iron. I even went as far as asking the Pevost God (Jefro) if there was a secret to getting them off. I am used to a 1948 Chevy truck front axle where you take a hammer and knock them off. I didn’t think I should do that. He said “nope, just work your way around them”. Well so much for that. I drilled a hole in the cap and drove in a tapered punch. I then drove a tapered chisel under the punch and finally popped them out. So far he hardest part. I have the holes welded back up now and ready to go back on. While sitting there looking at the big rusty ole mess of an engine, I was thinking I should steam that thing off and get some paint on there. While thinking about what a job it would be I looked at the idler that my bus air belts run on. I took the belts off and gave it a spin. Noisy… Man another bad bearing. Ok if the front three was bad, i wonder about the flat idler for the fan belt. Yep, it was not only noisy, it ground like my old knees in the morning. After I got the belt off of that one, I noticed the idler had been hot and one I got the bearing out, it was discolored also. It had been really hot. Well there ya go, all four idler bearings were bad. Even the smooth side of the 10 rib fan belt shows some wear. The ribbed side looked good but the side that contacted the idler was marked where the idler had been hot.
All I can say is, check um boys..
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31 Replies
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I don’t think we have done a good enough job of pointing out that when the air is down that is a good time to spin the idlers on all belts but the alternator. Any noise or growling calls for a bearing replacement.
The alternator belt has to be loosened if the coach has a spring tensioner, but when it is loose the idlers should also be checked. Those with the screw type tensioner will have to loosen the alternator belt by backing off the adjustment bolt.
What makes it worth checking the idler pulleys is on some occasions if an idler goes bad and the belt jumps it can take out another belt or do some damage so a simple spinning of idlers as part of a pre trip inspection is a good idea. Less than a minute is required.
While you are spinning things, don’t forget the fan. Listen there for bearing noise also.
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Jon,
That is exactly what I was thinking. If every idler has a bad bearing, then there is no way I will get by with replacing he fan clutch. But is was smooth as a puppy’s nubbin and quiet as a church mouse.. So at least there is one positive titbit to this story…
Steve
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Mr. Fowler, nothing like getting your hands dirty. I hope I have 10 yrs. before ours need replacement and I will keep my ears ‘peeled’ listening for anything unusal.
Good job!
Mr. Mark
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Thx Steve! Another thing on the list ….
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Great post and with pictures, Steve. I like the hole idea to save the dust covers.
Your bus is 1999, do you think all original ? If so what mileage do you have ?
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A couple of years ago something was eating my belts like crazy. Turned out to be the idler bearings even though they seemed to spin just fine when cold. I ended up upgrading to the automatic tensioner with new idlers.
I still have the bearing on my desk. Still turns pretty smooth but you can hear the balls rattling inside when you shake it. No grease left in that bearing.
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Good reason to remove the stainless steel belt guard that Liberty put on the coach and turn it into garage art.
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The first thing I have done is remove the belt guard. When the bus is sold I put it in the bay for the new owner to store somewhere. Anywhere but on the bus.
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Howdy everyone!!
Al,
Yes sir, my old bus is a 1999 and has 78,000 miles on it. Yes I think they were original. The bolts & caps were a bears a$$ to get loose. Drilling the hole was my only option unless I wanted to tear the heck out of them. I figured they were a DD part and would cost more than the bearings. I just welded them back up and they are ready to go.Dick,
My class “B” Liberty don’t have that pretty belt guard. Nor does it have a Rose Petal switch on the dash. 😉Steve
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I really learn lots on this forum. I would never have thought of drilling a dust cap for a drift and pry bar to remove it and then weld the hole up. Pretty ingenius.
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I thought that the deal here was that the Rose Petals were supposed to have come from the users of the the Liberty system. I thought that there was supposed to be something special about the Liberty owners. Am I wrong?
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Well, that’s it,John!! I don’t have the Liberty system!!
Steve
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I’m at the coach…
Looked out this morning and the rose petals are piling up…. so embarrassing….
I know my neighbors are thinking it’s winter time…. why are all these beautiful rose petals showing up…. I said ‘it’s a Liberty’…. everything is so sweet!
If I don’t open the sewer bay everyday, the petals will pile up and just overflow out the bay…. but, the aroma is quite nice.
Mr. Fowler, there is an application upgrade that will convert your coach to include the petal dispensary with all of the other upgrades… only $$$$$$$.$$….. but, it’s worth it.
Mr. Mark
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Mr. Mark……….
I’m saving my pennies hoping to buy your coach when you trade it in!!
Steve
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What’s an idler pulley?
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