on the shame of replacing a serpentine belt

a pulley! a pulley! my kingdom for a pulley!

I was rolling along to pick up my son when it happened.

Immediately I knew something was wrong. The steering became VERY heavy.

Next?

The battery started to fade and the temperature began to rise.

Shit shit shit!

The serpentine belt must have snapped!

Dear reader, try moving the wheel of a big old pick up truck with no hydraulic assistance. It’s not for the limp of wrist nor the weak of arm.

And me?

I’m no Steve Atlas.

Luckily, I got both the truck and my son home without incident.

Once home, I popped the hood. Looking inside, I was shocked to discover that the belt was fully intact.

What happened?

I had no idea.

I asked everyone I knew. The most universal reply

Your tensioner must be gone. You need a new belt tensioner and pulley.

So, with the advice of others, I ordered a new tensioner and pulley.

The next day I went to the shop and picked up the part.

One bolt. That was all I needed - one bolt.

When I went to replace it, I discovered the old tensioner was fine.

Instead?

It was the idler pulley …