JeepNoob
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Pueblo, Colorado
Bought a new Gates serpentine belt (don't have the exact part number off-hand) from O'Smellys' to replace my old... I don't even know who made this thing, all the letterings worn off. Wish I did though because the damn thing ACTUALLY FITS.
The new Gates one though... Before somebody jumps in and tells me I'm an idiot, yes I checked the belt routing, yes I've replaced serpentine belts before, yes I had the power steering pump tensioner bolt backed off. Like, all the way. And the top mounting bolt removed.
Damn belt was still like an inch too short, and probably more like 2. It would not go on. At all. Not for cussing, not for prying, not for trying to get the belt halfway on a pulley and then rotating it, NOT NOTHING.
After trying to get the damn thing on for the SECOND day in a row, I finally just hurled it into the ****it bucket. Yay, 40-plus dollars down the tube... Put the old belt on and THAT felt right. A little snug going over the water pump pulley, tension 'er down.
Gonna probably try an OMIX-ADA belt next. I've used their stuff in the past and the fit and quality seems to be really good. Avoid this Gates junk like the plague.
The new Gates one though... Before somebody jumps in and tells me I'm an idiot, yes I checked the belt routing, yes I've replaced serpentine belts before, yes I had the power steering pump tensioner bolt backed off. Like, all the way. And the top mounting bolt removed.
Damn belt was still like an inch too short, and probably more like 2. It would not go on. At all. Not for cussing, not for prying, not for trying to get the belt halfway on a pulley and then rotating it, NOT NOTHING.
After trying to get the damn thing on for the SECOND day in a row, I finally just hurled it into the ****it bucket. Yay, 40-plus dollars down the tube... Put the old belt on and THAT felt right. A little snug going over the water pump pulley, tension 'er down.
Gonna probably try an OMIX-ADA belt next. I've used their stuff in the past and the fit and quality seems to be really good. Avoid this Gates junk like the plague.