QuestionMr. Evans, i own a 2003 toyota 4 runner V6 4x4, the dealer has replaced the belt twice, the truck has 64,000 miles did a tsb belts and tensioner service and when the belt hits about 20,000 miles starts squeling, they (dealer) state it is normal to these belts to go bad at 20,000 miles. What is your advice. Your help is greatly appreciated. Mannie Rodil.
Answer There is wide variation in the quality of these belts and, unfortunately, the OE manufacturer is buying the cheapest belt he can find to put on the vehicle when it is new, and selling you the same belt over the parts counter. Or, and I hate this possibility but the practice is widespread, he is buying a cheap chain store belt and charging you for the Toyota one. I have to assume that none of the idlers or other pulleys are making the noise. If they were, he would jump at the chance to sell you whatever expensive component he thought you might need. If this was me, I would go to a good independent parts store (NOT a chain store like Pep Boys) and buy a new belt in a reliable brand like Gates, Goodyear, or Dayco. There are belts available at the chain stores with these same names on them, but they are not the same belts. These manufacturers were forced to sell a line of cheaper goods with their good name on them so that the chains could say they were dealing in quality goods. The margins in the automotive parts business are much smaller than in almost any other business that there is, and the buying power of the discounters is too big for the manufacturers to resist this dilution of their quality and reputation. But, rest assured, they do still make quality goods, and they are available from the reputable parts jobbers. I used to sell the Gates brand, and have sold the other two brands as well. I think, over all, that the Gates belts are probably the best bet, if you can find them. And, lastly, these belts should last so long that they fall off before you know that they need to be replaced, at least 60,000 miles.
