I recently noticed a fairly large crack in one of the front main idlers on my pc300lc-6. The one on the other side has a hairline crack as well. my question: should I replace the whole assembly or just the seal, bushing, pins, idler, etc...? Thanks for the response in advance!
Whole thing. Wouldn't even consider trying to piece it out.
Cracks on front idlers usually indicate they have been re-used at least once and probably more than that. From my experience the cracks usually happen on the outer rings just below the riding flanges. The other place they crack is at the bearing bosses. I don't recall them being very expensive for how long they last. When they start talking to you that way, it's time to replace them.