4Runner Belts

[fenrisx]

I took the 4Runner into the dealership today for an oil change. They also do a general vehicle inspection.

Upon inspection they noticed the belts were dry/cracked. In particular, the timing belt is split in the middle. Now I'm guessing this has something to do with the overheating issues I've had a couple of times, and maybe something to do with the noise I've heard a few times.

The belts were last changed at ~83k, and now the 4Runner has ~188k on it. I was planning on waiting until late fall when I got my student money to do the belts, and water pump.

However, I'm also planning on making a 2k round trip to Georgia in early August to see family before the fall semester starts.

The dealership has a special right now.. all belts replaced for $140. I think it's normally closer to $300. I've got about half the $140 right now, so I could probably swing it. Then I'd still have to do the water pump in late August.

I'm wondering what you guys think...

Run with these belts for 2 more moneys and hope they make it... or do 'em now.

It wouldn't be such a hard decision, but this money I've been putting away is for springs to go along with the Trekmasters I just got last week.

[corax]

Are you sure it's only $140 for the timing belt? That sounds way too cheap . . .

[fenrisx]

Are you sure it's only $140 for the timing belt? That sounds way too cheap . . .


How many belts are there on the 4Runner total?

[Seanz0rz]

4

AC
Power steering
Alternator

Timing belt

that price is far too cheap for a timing belt, which is usually more in the 1k range (timing belt is rarely factored in when changing "belts" as they last alot longer)

to do the regular belts, ps, alt, and ac, shouldnt take you much more than an hour in a parking lot with basic tools (i think a socket is all you need) total price shouldnt be more than 30 bucks. just make sure to clean up the pulleys before the new belts go on, and properly tension them.

[fenrisx]

Ok.. I think it's just the AC/Power/Alternator belts then. I believe the special was 2 for $100.. and then he added the price of the 3rd belt and said it'd be $140. So, I'm not sure which belt he said was split in the middle...

If it's that easy I could attempt those myself. I've got my tools up here now...

I had them quote me the price for timing belts + accessory belts + water pump about 6 months ago and it was right around the $700 mark.

[4x4mike]

I'd do them yourself. As far as I know they'd have to take the inspection cover off to see the timing belt. From what I've heard the timing belt is a heavy mofo and tend to last a long time. Knock on wood, dammit I hope I didn't jinx myself.

The 3 belts you can see with the hood open are easy to replace. Get the belts from the dealer and go to town. Out the door my belts were $61.43 from my local dealer.

Parts:
99364-20870-78 $29.68
99364-21070-83 $13.39
90080-91090-83 $13.94


You need a 10mm to remove the fan. Once that is out of the way you can release tension on the alternator, ps pump and AC. For me the PS pump is the hardest. I was having a hell of a time with squeaky belts and it was becuase I couldn't get enough tension on that belt. I ended up buying some short handled open end wrenches to get the job done. I had about every wrench you could buy (except for the little ones) and couldn't get it right. I think the size is a 12mm and you get about a 1/10th of a turn and you have to do that for quite a while. I had swivels, extensions, ratchets, ratcheting wrenches, etc on that bolt and couldn't get what I needed.


Hopefully you can do the work yourself and save some money for your lift. If worse comes to worse and you need to buy a wrench head to HF or sears and get a single one or cut one to size. Job should take less than an hour and that includes a snack and potty break.

[4x4mike]

This is what I got (http://www.lowes.com/pd_96435-87494-61010_4294857598_4294937087?productId=3099969&Ns=p_product_price|1&pl=1&currentURL=/pl_Wrench%2BSets_4294857598_4294937087_?Ns=p_produ ct_price|1). Well actually it is the stubby version I got, I think they were $10 a set. I bought a metric and SAE set because I wanted my collection to be complete. I went to Lowes because they are close and they were open.



This (http://www.ultimateyota.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&topic=8572.0) is my belt thread. Not much there but nonetheless.

[fenrisx]

I should be good on the tools then... I have a socket set, set of ratcheting wrenches, and a few regular wrenches.

I might give this a shot...

[paperstreetpauly]

i just replaced my PS belt - to make things easier with that hard to reach power steering belt tensioner bolt, i loosened it a tiny bit with a wrench, then put a wrench (14mm i believe) on a lower mounting bolt head for the pump on the front side (one of the bolts that holds the pump to the bracket), pulled on it to release the tension on the belt/ tensioner bolt and could then spin the tensioner bolt loose by hand - saved a ton of time and frustration - install is just reverse of this (sorry no pics).

[MTL_4runner]

I should be good on the tools then... I have a socket set, set of ratcheting wrenches, and a few regular wrenches.

I might give this a shot...


Seriously, don't even give it a second thought, just get the belts and do them yourself.
Make sure to keep the belts in order as they come off so you can match up sizes with the new belts.
Definately a piece of cake and not worth anything near $140.