ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum

ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: LongRod on March 31, 2004, 05:43:37 PM

Title: Timing Belts
Post by: LongRod on March 31, 2004, 05:43:37 PM
  Is there any difference in the quality of timing belts (i.e. is a 40 dollar belt from the dealer any better than a 15 dollar belt from J.C. Whitney)? Is there a higher quality (longer lived) after market belt available or do they all have about the same life span? ???
Title: Re: Timing Belts
Post by: Bobzooki on March 31, 2004, 11:11:26 PM
Good question.  I see belts (even for the 16 valve 1.6) on ebay all the time.

Really, though, when I replace the belt, I also replace the tensioner, just for peace of mind, and I think that costs more than the belt, so...
Title: Re: Timing Belts
Post by: lil_Truck on March 31, 2004, 11:28:58 PM
Timing belts are very important and they last 80,000-100,000 miles.

I'd go with the best one you can get.
Title: Re: Timing Belts
Post by: 90Stomper on April 01, 2004, 02:10:18 PM
i like the ones made by Gates, made in USA!

Quote
Really, though, when I replace the belt, I also replace the tensioner, just for peace of mind, and I think that costs more than the belt, so...


when you say tensioner, do you mean just the spring or the whole offset pully thing too?
Title: Re: Timing Belts
Post by: Speedracer7c on April 01, 2004, 02:23:09 PM
ALWAYS replace the tensioner, the person who owned mine before me didn't and it broke.......it was messy.
Title: Re: Timing Belts
Post by: LongRod on April 01, 2004, 02:34:56 PM
Quote
ALWAYS replace the tensioner, the person who owned mine before me didn't and it broke.......it was messy.


  Can you just replace the belt and spring  or is it best to replace the whole spring tensioner assembly? ???
Title: Re: Timing Belts
Post by: lil_Truck on April 01, 2004, 02:38:04 PM
The whole piece.  The spring really doesn't where out.  It's the pully and bearing.
Title: Re: Timing Belts
Post by: mrfuelish on April 01, 2004, 04:17:18 PM
How much doe's the whole piece cost?
Title: Re: Timing Belts
Post by: Speedracer7c on April 01, 2004, 04:23:21 PM
The spring doesn't really do anything except tension it while you are rotating the motor over. As soon as your done that you have to torque the bolt down on that bracket to 18 ft lbs i think it was and that spring essentially does nothing.
Title: Re: Timing Belts
Post by: Mike71 on April 01, 2004, 04:48:12 PM
so if ur 8v had 78k miles on it would u replace the belt and tensioner???
Title: Re: Timing Belts
Post by: Speedracer7c on April 01, 2004, 04:49:22 PM
Pretty soon............
Title: Re: Timing Belts
Post by: Mike71 on April 01, 2004, 05:13:19 PM
damn it..theres another thing on the to do list..how hard is it to do that???
Title: Re: Timing Belts
Post by: Bobzooki on April 02, 2004, 01:01:53 AM
Quote
damn it..theres another thing on the to do list..how hard is it to do that???


Depends on whether or not you have air conditioning (really!).  On my 4-door (no AC), the hardest part was getting the four nuts off the fan/water pump, and the bolts out of the crankshaft pulley (because you can't see 'em - I used a mirror).  Still, the job was less frustrating than changing the oil on my wifes Grand Vitara!  I always have issues with the oil filter!

Took me about 2 hours, and I was a timing-belt virgin.

My 2-door (trail rig) has AC.  The AC lines are in the way, for removing the fan shroud, etc.  But I will do it after Moab.
Title: Re: Timing Belts
Post by: LongRod on April 02, 2004, 06:51:56 AM
Quote
The spring doesn't really do anything except tension it while you are rotating the motor over. As soon as your done that you have to torque the bolt down on that bracket to 18 ft lbs i think it was and that spring essentially does nothing.


  OK, so it would seem that the only part that wears out (other than the actual belt) is the tensioner bearing. How hard is it to replace the whole tensioner assembly and is it possible to install a new bearing and recycle the rest of the tensioner assembly parts?  Does the tensioner use a common ball bearing, needle bearing, bronze bushing or "something else?"  ???
Title: Re: Timing Belts
Post by: Samurai_Hamster on April 02, 2004, 01:08:06 PM
Zukipilot is well versed in this.........and I have it on film!
Title: Re: Timing Belts
Post by: 90Stomper on April 02, 2004, 02:49:05 PM
Quote
Does the tensioner use a common ball bearing, needle bearing, bronze bushing or "something else?"


well since my motor is apart i just went out to the garage and looked,  it is a plastic wheel 2 1/4" dia with a metal 3/4" dia inside that rotates, cant tell what kind of bearings are in it, prob needle.   this is for a 90 tracker.  the metal part has an offset hole for the attachment bolt which alows it to pivot off center before tightening, acts like a lobe tentioner.  there is a bit more to it but you will see.  hope that helps.
Title: Re: Timing Belts
Post by: Mac on April 02, 2004, 05:03:29 PM
I would not hurt to replace the water pump while you are there, depending on the mileage on the vehicle, they are cheap, and if you don't the damn thing will start to leak and you will have to take it all apart again to change it.

Mac
Title: Re: Timing Belts
Post by: Speedracer7c on April 03, 2004, 02:06:11 AM
Quote


well since my motor is apart i just went out to the garage and looked,  it is a plastic wheel 2 1/4" dia with a metal 3/4" dia inside that rotates, cant tell what kind of bearings are in it, prob needle.   this is for a 90 tracker.  the metal part has an offset hole for the attachment bolt which alows it to pivot off center before tightening, acts like a lobe tentioner.  there is a bit more to it but you will see.  hope that helps.


What motor is he looking for. Cause the 16v is different.
Title: Re: Timing Belts
Post by: NY_SIDEKICKER on April 03, 2004, 08:29:23 AM
Quote
I would not hurt to replace the water pump while you are there, depending on the mileage on the vehicle, they are cheap, and if you don't the damn thing will start to leak and you will have to take it all apart again to change it.

Mac

MAC HOW YOU DOING  ??? HAVEN'T SEEN MUCH OF YA HERE. HOW'S THAT 2 DOOR KICK/TRACK TREATING YOU. DID YOU EVER GET YOUR NEW TIRES  ???  MATTY D.  8)  P.S. MY 1 YEAR OLD REALLY LOVES YOUR SMILEY ...ITS HELL TO LOOK FOR ONE IN A CRUSH , WHEN YOU HAVEN'T POSTED IN A WHILE  ;D  MATTY D.  8)