Should all belts be replaced at the same time?

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sifan

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My Echo is reaching 60k miles. The accessory belt started making noise only on cold damp morning this winter (noise stopped once engine warmed up). I am thinking of replacing it as spring is coming.

I am wondering if the power steering belt should also be replaced at the same time?

Also, how do you determine the belt tension is proper? Any tools available for testing the belt tension? How much tension should my belts get?
 
If you inspect your belts frequently, you should be able to catch it when your PS belt starts to wear out. There's no scientific reason why it would wear out at the same time as the accessory belt.

However, if it was my car, I'd replace them all at the same time to avoid having to devote any brainpower whatsoever to keeping track of "where my various belts are" in terms of lifespan. Not to mention that if you are already in the mode of buying the belt(s), getting the tools out etc it would be a good time to do it. My attitude would be different if the belts were expensive or particularly tough to replace.
 
Definetly replace all at once, they're just like lightbulbs, they fail (usually) right after the other.


Plus you're already in the area.
 
Gatorbacks for serpentine belts, Continentalcontitech for v-belts are the best IMHO.

Id replace them all at once if one has to be removed to get to another - why do work twice. I also feel that it is good insurance to do the belt that drives the waterpump, as an alternator, PS, etc. belt can fail, and at worst drain your battery... if a waterpump belt fails, youve got issues...

Do them all at once, if there is reason for one to start cracking, etc., the others are likely not doing that well either...

JMH
 
Belt tension;

Belt tension gauges used to exist, but were allways too expensive for most repair shops, much less individuals. Old rule of thumb has allways been 1/2 to 1 inch deflection from straight line when pushing inward on belt in center between it's longest area between pulleys.

Bob
 
My manual says belt tension is about right when you can twist the belt halfway between the pulleys between forefinger and thumb not much less but no more than 90.°

Since all (most?) modern engines use belt tensioners, belt tension is automatically adjusted by the tensioner. That's why tensioners should also be replaced.
 
http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopi...mp;&start=0

Above link shows how the belts can be replaced. Since I have only this one car to drive to work and have no garage to work on it, I think I will let a mechanic to do the replacement. The task seems to be not that easy. What do you think?

Since my accessory belt does not make squeaky noise most of the time, does it mean that the belt is not slipping and still has some life in it?
 
My local Toyota dealer asks for $6.50 plus tax for the power steering belt, and $36 plus tax for the accessory belt.

Is it safer to let a Toyota dealer to replace the belts or a trusted local garage? If a local garage has never replaced the belts on an Toyota Echo before, how would they find out how to do it? Should I print out the above thread, and show it to them?

I do not quite follow the thread, which is mainly about replacing the stock crank pulley with an aftermarket one. Does the stock crank pulley need to be removed in order to replace the power steering belt? Can you see the belt tensioner in the photos?

I probably will be able to replace the accessory belt by myself with a pry bar, but, I am not sure about the power steering belt replacement.
 
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My local Toyota dealer asks for $6.50 plus tax for the power steering belt, and $36 plus tax for the accessory belt.

Is it safer to let a Toyota dealer to replace the belts or a trusted local garage? If a local garage has never replaced the belts on an Toyota Echo before, how would they find out how to do it? Should I print out the above thread, and show it to them?

I do not quite follow the thread, which is mainly about replacing the stock crank pulley with an aftermarket one. Does the stock crank pulley need to be removed in order to replace the power steering belt? Can you see the belt tensioner in the photos?

I probably will be able to replace the accessory belt by myself with a pry bar, but, I am not sure about the power steering belt replacement.

Click to expand...


Serpentine belts are suprisingly easy to deal with (so long as you remember how they were routed), if accessibility isnt too hampered. The tensioner takes all the variability out, which is very good, compared to v-belts.

THis is a job that a generic mechanic should be able to do, though Id advise against bargain basement belts...

JMH
 
You might as well replace them all, and be done with it.
You probably don't need to though.
Belt tension is problematic. Count of readjusting them after they seat in. You don't want them banjo string tight, and of course too loose will cause slippage , heat, and improper accessory actuation.
 
Replacing the power steering belt will require the removal of the accessory belt. I think I will have both belts replaced at the same time since there is not much of saving in labor cost to replace the power steering belt later.

For a 4-cylinder engine like mine, how long will it take for the belts to seat in?
 
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