Hayden 5981 Accessory Drive Belt Idler Pulley - Accessory Drive

Hayden 5981 Accessory Drive Belt Idler Pulley

The Hayden 5981 is an accessory drive belt idler pulley built for serpentine belt systems that need a smooth-running back idler. It uses a black plastic construction with a 3.000-inch outside diameter and a 1.25-inch pulley width for direct replacement service on select Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury applications.

For drivers searching for a serpentine belt idler pulley for Ford F-150, Expedition, or Taurus applications, this Hayden pulley is a direct-fit service part that meets or exceeds OEM requirements.

Key Features

• Accessory drive belt idler pulley for serpentine belt systems
• Black plastic pulley construction
• Smooth groove design for back idler use
• 3.000-inch outside diameter and 1.25-inch pulley width
• 0.6875-inch inside diameter with a .69-inch bore
• Single mounting hole design
• Meets or exceeds OEM specifications
• Hayden Pulley line replacement part number 5981

Product Details

The Hayden Pulley line focuses on replacement accessory drive components for belt routing and tension management. Part number 5981 is an idler/tensioner pulley with a smooth face, designed for serpentine belt applications where the belt rides on the back side of the pulley. Its 76.200 mm outside diameter and 31.8 mm width support proper belt tracking in the accessory drive system.

This part cross-references Dayco 89005 and Bosch 18115 for the same application. It is used on select Ford F-150, Ford Expedition, Ford E-Series vans, Lincoln Navigator, and Mercury Taurus applications, including 1997-2001 Ford E-150 Econoline, 1997-2001 Ford F-150, and 1991-1995 Ford Taurus models equipped with air conditioning where noted.

Common Issues This Pulley Can Address

• Serpentine belt noise from a worn idler pulley
• Belt tracking problems caused by pulley wear
• Accessory drive vibration from a damaged pulley surface
• Uneven belt routing in the front accessory drive system
• Replacement needs on Ford F-150, Expedition, Taurus, and E-Series belt drives

Installation Notes and Tips

Verify pulley diameter, width, bore size, and mounting style before installation. Mounting hardware is not included, so reuse or source the correct fastener as needed. Confirm vehicle-specific fitment, especially on 1997-2001 Ford E-150 Econoline, E-250 Econoline, E-350 Econoline, and related applications that require air conditioning equipment.

For best results, inspect the serpentine belt, tensioner, and adjacent pulleys at the same time. A worn belt or failing tensioner can shorten the service life of a new idler pulley.

Quality Assurance

Hayden states that this pulley meets or exceeds OEM requirements, supporting OE-style replacement performance for the accessory drive belt system.