Rattling/knocking noise

1994 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE
200,000 MILES • 4WD
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NOELLE RICHARDS
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I used the belt map to locate where it appears to be coming from. The man who owned it before me kept up with the maintenance really well so this is the first time I have seen an issue since I bought it.

The noise "sounds" like it is coming from the idle pulley under the A/C compressor. To be sure, I unplugged the A/C compressor and took a closer look and it looks like the idle pulley is shaking a bit more than everything else next to it (they appear to be stationary).

Any clue if this is accurate?

The image is the belt map. I unplugged two from the power box and when physically looking st it, I "think" the noise is coming from six.
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May 30, 2017 at 2:09 PM
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STEVE W.
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Not an uncommon thing for the bearing in an idler to fail. You may want to replace both and the belt. That way you will not be replacing the other one a week from now. While you have the belt off, check all the other parts for loose/damaged bearings or other issues.
May 31, 2017 at 4:23 AM
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NOELLE RICHARDS
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Do you think it will survive an 86 mile trip?
Jun 13, 2017 at 9:23 PM
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STEVE W.
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Have no real way to know if it will. It could rattle for years or it could suffer a failure at the next start. Bearings are unpredictable that way. If the trip is to get it to a mechanic, then I'd likely take it, at worst you end up getting towed in.
Jun 13, 2017 at 9:41 PM