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Workhorse W62 Accessory Drive Belt Pulleys

Workhorse W62 Accessory drive belt pulleys

Starting at low prices, AutoBuffy stocks multiple accessory drive belt pulleys from top OE-quality brands to fit the Workhorse W62. The accessory drive belt pulley routes the serpentine or V-belt to spin accessories like the alternator, power steering pump, and AC compressor. A worn or seized pulley causes belt slip, noise, and can strand you if the belt shreds.

Signs your Workhorse W62 needs a new accessory drive belt pulley

  • High-pitched squealing or chirping from the front of the engine, especially on cold starts or acceleration
  • Visible wobble or side-to-side play in the pulley when the engine is running or when spun by hand with the belt removed
  • Grooved, glazed, or cracked belt surface caused by a misaligned or rough pulley contact face
  • Grinding or rumbling noise that changes pitch with engine RPM, indicating a failing pulley bearing
  • Intermittent or complete loss of power steering, AC, or charging, caused by belt slipping off a damaged pulley
  • Belt dressing or rubber debris collecting around the pulley area, a sign the belt is being shredded by a rough or seized pulley

Which accessory drive belt pulley should you buy for your Workhorse W62?

The main decisions are pulley position (idler vs. tensioner-mounted vs. crankshaft), construction material (stamped steel vs. cast iron vs. aluminum), and whether you need the bare pulley or a pulley-and-bracket assembly. Match the pulley diameter and belt groove profile exactly to the original — even a small mismatch shifts belt alignment and causes premature wear.

OE-Replacement Stamped Steel Pulley
Best for
Budget-conscious repairs where the original was steel
What you get
Direct fit, correct groove profile, adequate durability for normal driving conditions
Cast Iron or Heavy-Duty Pulley
Best for
High-mileage vehicles or those in hot climates with heavy AC use
What you get
Greater heat resistance, reduced flex under load, longer service life than stamped steel
Aluminum Pulley
Best for
Performance builds or weight-conscious upgrades
What you get
Lighter rotating mass, corrosion resistant, common on late-model OE designs
Pulley + Bracket Assembly
Best for
When the bracket or backer plate is cracked or corroded alongside the pulley
What you get
Single-purchase fix, ensures correct alignment out of the box, eliminates guesswork on bracket condition

Replacing the accessory drive belt pulley on a Workhorse W62

Moderate1–2 hoursSerpentine belt routing diagram (photo before removal)Breaker bar or serpentine belt tool for tensioner reliefSocket set and ratchet (metric and standard)Torque wrenchPry bar or pulley puller (if pulley is press-fit)

Relieve belt tension using the tensioner, slide the belt off, then remove the fastener or use a puller to extract the old pulley. Inspect the mounting surface and bracket for damage before pressing or threading the new pulley into place. Reinstall the belt following the original routing diagram and confirm all accessories spin freely before starting the engine.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to replace accessory drive belt pulleys on a Workhorse W62?
Parts start at low prices on AutoBuffy. A bare pulley is typically the lower end of that range; a pulley-and-bracket assembly costs more. Add shop labor of one to two hours if you're not doing it yourself. Replacing the serpentine belt at the same time is recommended and adds minimal cost.
Can I drive my Workhorse W62 with a bad accessory drive belt pulley?
No — not safely or for long. A seized or wobbling pulley can shred the serpentine belt within miles, instantly killing the alternator, power steering, and water pump. If the water pump stops, the engine overheats quickly. Pull over as soon as you notice pulley noise or belt slip and have the vehicle towed.
How long do accessory drive belt pulleys last on a Workhorse W62?
Most pulleys last the same general interval as the serpentine belt — roughly every belt replacement cycle, though many go longer. Bearing-type idler pulleys tend to wear faster than smooth idlers. Inspect the pulley every time you replace the belt; spin it by hand and check for roughness, wobble, or noise.
Should I replace the belt when I replace the pulley on my Workhorse W62?
Yes. The belt must be removed to access the pulley, so labor is already done. A belt that has been running on a damaged pulley is likely glazed, cracked, or misprofilesd. Installing a new belt on a new pulley ensures proper tension, correct alignment, and prevents a repeat failure shortly after the repair.
How do I know if my Workhorse W62 has an idler pulley or a tensioner pulley problem?
Idler pulleys are fixed-mount and spin freely; a bad idler typically produces grinding or chirping and may wobble visibly. Tensioner pulleys pivot on a spring-loaded arm; a bad tensioner causes belt flutter and inconsistent tension. Both can look similar, so check each pulley individually for bearing roughness and the tensioner arm for proper spring resistance.
Does pulley material matter when replacing the accessory drive belt pulley on a Workhorse W62?
Yes, especially in high-heat or high-load applications. Stamped steel is adequate for most daily driving but can rust and develop rough edges. Cast iron handles sustained heat better. Aluminum is lightweight and corrosion-resistant. Match or exceed the OE material specification; downgrading to lighter stamped steel on a vehicle originally fitted with cast iron can shorten the service life.

More parts for your Workhorse W62

Accessory drive belt pulleys for other Workhorse models