The tensioner pulley on the 1996 Cadillac maintains tension on the engine's serpentine belt. This ensures the belt stays stout enough to run the pulleys on the air conditioning compressor, power-steering pump, water pump and alternator. Without the tensioner pulley, you would constantly have to adjust the belt tension yourself. If the bearing inside the pulley goes bad, it could prevent the pulley from doing its job. In the event this happens, you must replace the tensioner pulley.
Place a three-eighths-inch ratchet driver into the square hole on the face of the tensioner pulley. The idler pulley is bolted onto the side of the engine block and does not attach to any other accessories.
Pull up on the ratchet handle to release tension on the Cadillac's serpentine belt. Pull the belt off the tensioner pulley. Don't remove the belt from any of the other pulleys.
Remove the two bolts that secure the tensioner arm to the engine block using a socket and ratchet. The pulley permanently mounts to the tensioner arm.
Remove the tensioner arm and pulley from the engine bay.
