1jz timing belt idler question

[doommachine]

Hi all,
Just doing the timing belt on my cress/jzx81 - I installed the timing belt idley, but doing the hex head bolt up to the rated torque setting makes the bracket too tight to move. In order to make it as free moving as when it was on the car I have to have the bolt only slightly tighter than finger tight, and the manual says 26 ft lb.

The old idler is definitely screwed, the bearing has some in/out play, but the bracket when mounted does move freely.. can I safely remove the bearing from the idler/ replace it with new bearing?? Or am I somehow doing it wrong...

Cheers