Alternator pulley leaking..

[ShadowsPapa]

As the JT is still under warranty booked it in with the dealer, had to wait a month to get in due to time of year etc
Today they assessed it as the alternator bearing and therefore a full alternator replacement under warranty luckily,
But now it will take a couple of weeks to get the part and then a couple more weeks before I can get it booked back in due to they are over booked.
So another month before it gets fixed, it's my daily drive and I have a road trip due before the repair date.

Replace the whole assembly unless you can find if it's the bearing or the pulley itself - they diagnosed as alternator bearing.
I'd wait except you have a road trip coming up........

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[jac04]

Oh great. the litens decoupling alternator pulley.
Not easy. But with special tools, you can remove and replace the pulley after prying off the plastic cover to access the hex socket.

For anyone wondering what the heck jeepdan is talking about, here is what that funky pulley looks like:
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=13652125&cc=3446677&pt=2448&jsn=838

 

[Slipshodman]

Replace the whole assembly unless you can find if it's the bearing or the pulley itself - they diagnosed as alternator bearing.
I'd wait except you have a road trip coming up........

I would consider getting it done myself but over here getting genuine JT mechanicals is only through Jeep dealers pretty much anyway (driveline components anyway)
So odds are if the dealer will take a couple of weeks to get the part so would I.
Add to that the prices for parts are dam steep, the dealer replaced my reverse camera under warranty, their prices on the internal invoices had it at near 2 grand for camera and bracket (not that I paid anything), I would hate to see what an alternator would set me back even if I could get it

Thanks for the advice, just gunna keep my fingers crossed and hope it holds out for the trip , just wont be doing anything off grid so if I need my Roadside Assist company to come tow me they will be able to

Cheers

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I would consider getting it done myself but over here getting genuine JT mechanicals is only through Jeep dealers pretty much anyway (driveline components anyway)
So odds are if the dealer will take a couple of weeks to get the part so would I.
Add to that the prices for parts are dam steep, the dealer replaced my reverse camera under warranty, their prices on the internal invoices had it at near 2 grand for camera and bracket (not that I paid anything), I would hate to see what an alternator would set me back even if I could get it

Thanks for the advice, just gunna keep my fingers crossed and hope it holds out for the trip , just wont be doing anything off grid so if I need my Roadside Assist company to come tow me they will be able to

Cheers

Forgot for a moment you were not in the USA.........

 

[jeepdan]

It's been several years, but thinking back, I never seen grease slung like that from my failed decoupler pulleys. It was either black dust or red rust dust.

 

[darkhorse13]

Bumping this back up... been chasing down a high pitched noise at front of engine then I went out to see if I had any "racing stripes" from the decoupler pulley and I believe that I do. My alternator still seems to be charging fine as I regularly watch it fluctuate on the gauge from 12.6 - 14.3+ volts.

I guess my question is can I just replace the decoupler pulley with one from RockAuto? Quite the price difference between the two offerings but I'll pay to play if I get better quality from the Continental.

Next up, researching the proper tool and YouTube video to do the job at home.

Thanks,
John

 

[Gregj]

Decoupler pulley thread
More info in this thread over on the JL forum. I bought the tool and the pulley because of the grease track but haven’t changed it yet.
Gregj

 

[darkhorse13]

Decoupler pulley thread
More info in this thread over on the JL forum. I bought the tool and the pulley because of the grease track but haven’t changed it yet.
Gregj

I can always count on this group! Thanks

 

[darkhorse13]

Well I ordered the Litens decoupler pulley and tool as well as a new serpentine belt. For reference I have a 2020 JTR with 61,000mi currently. I'm chasing a whistling sound and I'm going to systematically try to replace parts to remedy the issue. It might require time and duplication of parts removal but I can perform the maintenance myself. For reference, the whistling noise started around 59,000mi I believe. I noticed it during a trip in Oct 2024 to Moab. I'm not sure if my "racing stripes" are the beginning of the oil leak or the remnants of a completely oil-less decoupler.

My current approach to finding the source of the whistle...
1) Verify power steering fluid level and visual inspection of parts listed below
2) Remove serpentine belt and spin idler pulleys by hand to feel for any grit or slop
3) Replace decoupler pulley and serpentine belt (test drive, then perform next step)
4) Replace idler pulleys (test drive, then...)
5) Replace water pump... there's a great thread on here where the "whizzzzing" sound was a bad bearing in the water pump
6) If all else fails, just keep the radio above volume level 15

 

[Minty JL]

Link for said tool?

 

[darkhorse13]

Link for said tool?

2 spots, same thing... Rock Auto is also courteous enough to provide the hyperlink to the tool when you add the pulley to the cart. The pulley "info" button also has install instructions with torque specs... thank you Rock Auto!

1) Rock Auto = https://www.rockauto.com/en/tools/electrical,tool,alternator+pulley+tool,17818

2) The Amazons = https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AGWEUKI?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

 

[Minty JL]

Oh and it's a Lisle tool, they make great tools.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Oh and it's a Lisle tool, they make great tools.

Clarinda, Iowa.
I had one of their impact tools (hammer drive, for taking loose countersunk screws in motorcycles, car starters and so on) - the socket/bit retaining ball in the end popped out. All I needed was that end piece, I'd have taken the tool apart and replaced that part.
I asked about getting that one part (it was still in warranty) - they sent me a whole new kit, new bits and all. No questions asked.

 

[81Mojave]

Well I ordered the Litens decoupler pulley and tool as well as a new serpentine belt. For reference I have a 2020 JTR with 61,000mi currently. I'm chasing a whistling sound and I'm going to systematically try to replace parts to remedy the issue. It might require time and duplication of parts removal but I can perform the maintenance myself. For reference, the whistling noise started around 59,000mi I believe. I noticed it during a trip in Oct 2024 to Moab. I'm not sure if my "racing stripes" are the beginning of the oil leak or the remnants of a completely oil-less decoupler.

My current approach to finding the source of the whistle...
1) Verify power steering fluid level and visual inspection of parts listed below
2) Remove serpentine belt and spin idler pulleys by hand to feel for any grit or slop
3) Replace decoupler pulley and serpentine belt (test drive, then perform next step)
4) Replace idler pulleys (test drive, then...)
5) Replace water pump... there's a great thread on here where the "whizzzzing" sound was a bad bearing in the water pump
6) If all else fails, just keep the radio above volume level 15

Seems like a well thought out plan!

 

[darkhorse13]

Just a update as I remove the OEM decoupler...

** Quick Tip before reading below = the decoupler pulley is reverse-threaded when looking directly at the pulley off the vehicle like in the pics below ** If you imagine the alternator shaft as a fixed threaded post and the decoupler pulley as a nut, then it's righty-loosey and lefty-tighty.

1) The dust cap was difficult to remove with a pick or small flat head screwdriver (for me at least). I simply drilled a small 1/8" hole in the center of the cap and used a punch to pry it out... worked great
2) I had a lot of grease in the center of my decoupler pulley and it might be the reason the idler pulley looked so wet and crudy? I'm replacing both idler pulleys while I'm in here
3) I personally needed all the leverage possible for the removal of the decoupler pulley... got a long 19mm box end to hold the large hex key in the body of the pulley and put a pipe extension on the 3/8" wrench with the 7/16" socket on the alternator shaft portion (10mm head) of the tool
4) If looking at the pulley on the alternator while it's off the vehicle, turn the 7/16" socket counter-clockwise (follow the direction of the arrow stamped on the alternator) while holding the 19mm box wrench stationary. If you do this while the alternator is still on the vehicle and you're standing at the grill, then you'd turn the 7/16" socket clockwise (or towards the driver side). Again, always turn the 7/16" socket the same direction of the stamped arrow while holding the 19mm box wrench stationary to REMOVE only
5) Reinstall

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