When I eliminated the air pump on our 96 F250 gasser I rerouted the belt in such a way the idler pulley was eliminated. It was not my plan but it worked out that way. Now several months later there is a lot of squealing when the truck is running. I believe it is the pulley on the pensioner I just have not gotten enough free time to check it out and repair it. Anyhoo, I am wondering how necessary the idler is. My wife had two idler pulleys fail on her two separate times when she was out of town and I was overseas. So to me they are just one more thing to have to repair or replace. Any input on that?

Aftermarket tensioners are bit on the wimpy side. OEM's are expensive. I sometimes take mine off and lube them with one of those needles that fit on your grease gun.

I od that as well. Ihave surengis (spelling?) I use with my guns. So I fill one with grease and stick it under the seal