well I pulled and pulled and it snapped today
I don't believe there is an idler pulley on that model, just a tensioner pulley
A serpentine belt has an idler pulley on is to keep it tight at all times. If your serpentine belt is loose, then something is worn out. Its possible the idler pulley is stuck in its bracket so it cannot move or the spring on it is worn out.
The idler pulley has nothing to do with the brakes. If the idler pulley is bad it could throw or break a belt, and then your engine will stop.
In an Inline 6 Jeep engine, the idler pulley is located to the right of the A/C pulley. It is a smooth pulley, not a grooved one.
If an idler pulley is broken, I would advise not to drive it anywhere. It would effect the power steering, water pump, alternator and coolant fan causing you to get stuck on the road and possibly cost many more $$ in damage.
If you are referring to the Serpentine belt, you loosen no pulley. You simply remove tension from the belt. The tension is applied by the Idler Pulley. Pry the idler back and remove the belt.If you are referring to the Serpentine belt, you loosen no pulley. You simply remove tension from the belt. The tension is applied by the Idler Pulley. Pry the idler back and remove the belt.
Remove the belt, then remove the bolt holding in the idler pulley.
The idler pulley is between the alternator and the A/C compressor.
I believe there is an idler pulley which keeps the belt tight on the 4.0. If you are experiencing slop or looseness, I suggest you look at replacing the belt or maybe the idler is stuck or broken. I had to replace an idler in a Wrangler once.
Remove the old, damaged idler pulley and replace it with a new one.
Replace the tensioner assembly as one piece.
== == it is a free pulley that works as a tensioner on any belt bolted to hold or spring loaded An idler pulley usually tensions a belt.. eg supercharger belt is kept taut by its respective idler pulley