My fan clutch pulley bearing started making noise this week. One of the few spinning parts up front I didn't replace when I did the timing belt job 10K miles ago.

In looking for a replacement part, all I'm finding is OEM part for the fan pulley & bearing assembly and it's like $230 ! Ouch.

Is there not any reasonably priced aftermarket equivalent replacement out there for this part on the market anywhere? I can't seem to locate any, only OEM originals sold by various online vendors.

$230 for this fairly simple part is painful ButtRape when there's many more complicated similar wear and maintenance parts (like tensioner pulley assemblies) out there that cost much less.

 

Rock Auto has them for $45 for that Uro brand, $80 for brands that I trust more.

 

Couldn't find any listed at all for my car on Rock Auto. They only show the serpentine tensioner pulley assembly for all the possible searches I tried for the 1998 2.8L V-6 30v A4 Quattro. No sign of a fan pulley, idler pulley, etc.

I did find an MTC brand idler pulley assembly from ECS for $101.66. Is MTC a good brand? It's less than half the cost of the OEM part and I need to order a bunch of front suspension parts from them anyway.

 

 

I found this guide today researching the same problem: http://12v.org/urs/serp_tensioner_rebuild.pdf

The bearing and roller are exactly the same as my ATW and AHA pieces. It's an ingenious solution because you don't need to screw with those solid rivets, just drill them out and replace with screws and nuts. You can get the bearing at at auto parts store, they should even have it in stock.

 

There are no fan pulley / idler pulley assembly shown at all in there. Those are viscous fan clutches only. The fan/idler pulley assembly is what the viscous fan clutch attaches to.

 

Again, you're showing a complete different part... the tensioner pulley.

THIS is what I'm talking about: Audi B5 A4 Quattro V6 30v > ES#2090916 Idler Pulley - 078121235G


And the OEM version is now no longer $230.... it's now $302 !!!!

 

Sorry. Thought you just needed the clutch. Got to be some at the bone yard. Have you checked there?

 

Most boneyards were eliminated from existence in this part of Texas by the local govts about two decades ago. The few that remain very doubtful would ever have any Audi cars in them. Even finding a VW Passat would be a long shot. If you're looking for a Silverado, F150 or Dodge Ram truck part, then you'd be in luck.

I'll order the $101 pulley from ECS.

 

Sorry about that, guess I wasn't paying attention. I do have a solution for that too, though it involves an electric fan and some creativity. On the plus side you'll be getting rid of that stupid clutch fan in the process.