Parts for your 1987 Mitsubishi Pajero-Drive belt pulley

1987 Mitsubishi Pajero drive-belt pulley — what it does and how to look after it

Technical sources confirm the 1987 Mitsubishi Pajero does use drive-belt pulleys. The Mitsubishi Pajero L040-series Factory Service Manual (1982–1991), the Mitsubishi ASA parts catalogue for 1987 models, and aftermarket references like the Gates accessory belt catalogue and Gregory’s/Haynes manuals all describe multiple V-belt drives and associated pulleys on these Pajeros (crank/harmonic balancer, alternator, water pump/fan, power steering, air-con, and idlers). So a drive-belt pulley is absolutely relevant on this vehicle.

On an ’87 Pajero, the drive-belt pulleys are the workhorses that pass engine rotation to the alternator, water pump and fan, power steering pump and the A/C compressor. Most variants of this era use multiple V-belts rather than a single serpentine belt, so the crankshaft harmonic balancer generally carries two or three grooves, and each accessory has its own matching pulley. Diesel (4D55/4D56) and petrol (4G54/6G72) engines both follow this theme, with manual belt adjustment rather than a spring-loaded tensioner.

Good pulleys keep the belts running straight and at the right speed. Worn, misaligned or rough pulleys chew belts, make awful squeals, and can leave a Pajero stranded with a flat battery or overheating. As part of regular servicing, it’s smart to inspect pulleys whenever belts are checked or replaced. Spin the idlers by hand and feel for play or rumble, look for glazing or scoring in the grooves, and watch for crank pulley (harmonic balancer) wobble or rubber delamination.

Signs it’s time for attention include:

• Squeal on cold start or when accessories load up
• Fraying or glazing on V-belts despite correct tension
• Visible pulley wobble, belt walk, or black dust around the front of the engine
• Grinding or chirping from an idler or accessory

When replacing, disconnect the battery, note belt routing, slacken the adjusters and remove the belts. Use the proper puller for the crank pulley/harmonic balancer—never lever against the timing cover. Clean mating faces, check alignment shims or spacers, and torque fasteners to factory spec. Many owners replace idler bearings or complete idlers when fitting new belts to keep things sweet for the next 50,000–80,000 km. For the harmonic balancer, any wobble, slipped outer ring or perished rubber means replacement rather than repair. Correct belt tension and pulley alignment are critical—set to the workshop manual spec and recheck after the first few hundred kilometres.

With fresh belts and true-running pulleys, an old Pajero’s charging, cooling and steering stay reliable, whether it’s commuting or heading bush for the weekend.

Popular questions

What pulleys are on a 1987 Pajero?
Typically: crankshaft harmonic balancer (multi-groove), alternator, water pump/fan, power steering, air-con compressor, plus one or more idler pulleys. Exact layout varies slightly by engine and whether the vehicle has A/C and power steering.

Does a 1987 Pajero use a serpentine belt?
No. Most ’87 models run multiple V-belts. Each accessory has its own belt path, so pulley alignment and correct belt tension are especially important.

How often should pulleys be checked or replaced?
Inspect at each service when belts are checked. Replace any pulley that’s noisy, rough, misaligned, or shows groove damage. Replace the harmonic balancer if the rubber damper is cracked, separated or the outer ring has shifted.