Can anyone tell me what this roller does ..... Removed it while fixing oil pump leaks and it was all gunked up .... Doesn't look like the roller bearing has turned in a very long time.


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Helps guide the timing belt if it happens to go slack as it travels around the crank pulley.

 

Thanks ..... I guess my belt has never gone slack .....

 

In the early engines, there isn't even a roller, I thinks its more like a skid. In the later motors (after the early S4's) the went to a double roller design. Many seize up after years of non-use (the belt never makes contact), but I guess the issue is that when it does make contact, you would probably want the contact to be with a free spinning bearing and not a seized one.

 

Yep. What Adam wrote.

The OE replacement is stupid expensive last time I checked. Bearing is common and is ~$10 IRRC. Save by pressing the shell off the old bearing and pressing-in a new bearing.

 

After I cleaned it and worked in a little grease it seems to work good now. You are correct on cost of replacement part... over $300.00 .......Dam !!

 

Find a new 201FF or ZZ bearing at a local auto parts store, or get one with your parts shipment from your favorite vendor. It is pretty easily "pressed" in and out of the roller with a vise and a couple sockets as pilots.

 

During my recent end of March - early April MM/silicon OPG + TP/WP (and several other WYAIT jobs) maintenance, Erkka urged me to replace it as good general maintenance practice (as the next time going in there is hopefully only in 5 to 6 years time or 60K km, whatever comes first).
There was nothing really too much wrong with the original, but as indeed as the cheap bearing that it is, it makes sense to replace. In MY 1994, this has part number "6201RS" stamped on this bearing, and Erkka was able to source an exact same local one for around $15.

Follow above's Dr. Bob's instructions with regards disassemble and assembly.

Bearing renewed as well as all three (3) cir-clips, and put back in place: