The serpentine belt on my XJ has been squealing for a few months, and I went to investigate the issue. Unfortunately, I was greeted with this:

https://i.imgur.com/jGBZHPG.jpg

It looks like the tensioner pulley is very out of misalignment, by several degrees. I decreased the tension on the belt slightly, which has alleviated the squeaking, but I would really like to get a pulley installed correctly and replace the belt.

Anyone seen a tensioner canted this badly? Any idea what can cause this?

 

Is the bolt in the center of the pulley tight? Are the bearings shot? Those would be my two guesses.

 

The bolt was tight, but I didn't take it all the way out to check the bearing. I will probably do that, since it seems very easy.

Anyone know the part number for that pulley and bearing?

 

Not sure off-hand and advance auto's website shows at least two different ones, maybe a difference in accessories or something. Just grab it and see if it has any play in it. If the bearing is shot to the point that it's that out of whack you'll know it real quick. If there's any doubt I would just pull the old one and take it to the local parts store and tell them you need an idler pulley and make sure the one they pull matches. The pulley, bearing and the spacer should all come together.

 

Advanced sells them..