Sorry for the exlamations. I've spent seven hours changing the alternator on my car. I took off the idler pulley (I realize know it wasn't required), and for the life of me I cannot put it back together in the right order. I've got, in order from backing plate to the bolt at the front:
1. Pulley tension adjuster (the thing you turn at the top to change belt tension.
2. Large Washer
3. Pulley wheel
4. Small washer
5. Round metal disc
6. Bolt

Am I missing something? Even when the pulley is tightened with the bolt, the pulley itself is free to move a bit. Should there be two large washers?
I would appreciate anyone's help on this more than anything.
Thanks in advance
Dave

 

Pulley tensioner adjusted with slim wavy washer on top...
Large washer
two sized pulley base,,,small to large part closest to tensioner
pulley
small washer
nut

****pull and twist the bolt so it seats fully and then feed the nut on without moving it around...or unseating it...I have done this part many times over....it is slotted and fits only one real good way in the adj bracket.

do not tighten the nut all the way until you feel you are at the best tension for starting adjustment...test for squeaks and then loosen or tighten belt as needed.

 

Thanks.
I was missing the large washer because I wasn't keeping track of my parts correctly. Lesson learned.

 

I'm in the process of doing an engine swap, one's a 5speed and my original was an auto. I noticed that the idle pully tensioner is a different length on both engines... very weird, it might be because of 5speed/auto (don't see why that would make a difference though) or maybe the new engine is a 96 (mines a 95)...either way very odd.