Universal Mazdaspeed 3/6 Serpentine Belt Tensioner for less than OEM!

It is widely known the OEM tensioner is bank for us Gen1 MS3/MS6 guys. With 98K on the odometer, I figured it is time to swap the belt and tensioner. Got the OEM belt from @EdgeAutosport.com, as I remember issues from Auto Zone/Advanced and their belts not fitting. http://edgeautosport.com/mazda-oem-serpentine-belt-mazdaspeed-3-2007-2009/

Gates makes a tensioner. # 38408. Amazon has it with Prime for $38 shipped to me. I get it in a couple days, then will install it when I get an install day, as I have a TON to do.
Anyway, this is it the pulley you want in lieu of


Will post up how-to soon.

 

I used this one HERE it works great and has a nut that is WAY easier to get to so you can loosen it solo while positioning the belt. This was on my gen 1 speed 3.

Tensioner - Duralast Idler Pulley 305372
Belt - Dayco 5060910 Serpentine Belt , by Dayco , Link: http://a.co/cLiUNdF
Idler Pulley - Duralast Idler Pulley 231144

 

Thanks Raider, found it a little cheaper on ebay as well.

 

159k still good!

 

Any issues with the duralast idler pulley being plastic? Probably fine but oem metal with NTN bearing. My belt making lots of noise (like a jar of nuts rattling around) so bought same parts however idler seems fine so just put back in. Ideally would clean and lube bearing but too much work. May buy bearing (PN 6203lax30) for next time.
A bit more of pita to reinstall after breaking plastic retainer holding spacer on tight to bolt. But got back on. 10mm bolt.
Replacing tensioner with duralast part. My tensioner definitely not in great shape but bearing on tensioner pulley not as bad as expected. Not good but not sure it was making noise. So may be the tensioner itself not pulley causing the racket. Will see if resolves or if also need to replace AC clutch. It spins smooth and works fine so hoping was just tensioner. Lots more to do but this is just start....

 

60k on mine no issues, mine is Gates tho.

 

I have used Gates and find them to be quality. Bought the duralast so could have for this weekend/well last weekend as still working on car doing a few other things. If tensioner does not last its NBD as this is just more emergency fix as car making lots of noises and think it is the tensioner (it is not VVT noise, at least I hope!). If noise sill there then...well making a new thread as lots of work to do to get car working as it should...

 

Can't get belt on as ussual.
I've always had a hard time installing belt on ms6. I recall having to undo PS pump to angle to get on and then bolt back down. Crank tensioner all the way (dayco one) using 9/16 socket and cannot get belt on tensioner so switched to have belt on tensioner and crank to try and get on PS pulley but still failing. Going to grab a pry bar with some padding and try again before loosening PS pump.
Edit
Fuck it removing PS to save my fingers.
Yes this worked and was easy. Have to remove bottom bolt ~¼in so as to clear notch in bottom DS and tilt pump enough. Same technique as used for removing IM.
Of course tensioner wrench let go on first try but finger between PS pump and ABS is nothing. Had that happened when finger between belt and pulley idk pretty sure u could break a bone. Use a strap like in video not your foot like me...

 

Well could have bought cheap 6203 bearings and spent $10 or so but the 6203lax30 could not find or determine what to go with so spent $40 on Gates 36263 idler.
I still get lots of noise but do not think its the idler but silly not to replace. Sounds like driving over walnuts.
Could be many things. Not too worried about it just annoying.

 

Water or power steering pump, or alternator may be a fault but my ac compressor sounded like that when it shit itself.

 

Same, it would sound like garbage whenever the a/c clutch tried to engage. I ended up replacing the unit. I have been using the plastic pulley without issues for years. I still highly recommend the duralast pulley. You can get leverage with ease and slide the belt over the water pump pretty easy as it has no lip or grooves.

 

Duralast is made by Dayco, so the same part numbers with Dayco as they make it so it will work as well.

Sorry for the bump, my time came, and I was bored.