4.0 Idler Pulley Replacement OEM vs Gates Reference

Damn, looks real to me. Stupid good deal. How can they sell those that cheap? Stolen?

 

Given the qty they had available its hard to imagine that but regardless, huge shout out to @Pbuddy1026 for the lead for sure.

 

Happy to help. Going to order mine now!

 

Is there a cheaper package with the just the Koyo idler pulleys? I don’t want/need the tensioner or belt.

 

Pretty sure those are not authentic KOYO bearings. Last year, when I checked their catalog, and they did not offer bearings with a 10mm inner opening. I emalled the company and they confirmed it. I posted their response on another thread - can't find it ...

 

I think I read that post somewhere too. I'll try to find it.

And this might sound ridiculous, but the "K" in Koyo....doesnt really look like a stamping from the factory they'd let go. Usually fakes don't have the best tooling. I would think it would be a much clearer stamping of their name. I'm not saying it's real or not. I have no idea and nothing here to compare it to, but I thought it's worth mentioning while you guys try to figure it out.

 

They have to be fake given the source and the price. Here’s a video on the proliferation of fake spark plugs on Amazon. The fakes look extremely real:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Lr9J3eQk-kE

 

Dang. Now you got me questioning my last spark plug purchase. I can't remember where I ordered them, but it very well might have been Amazon. My gas mileage has been steadily decreasing. Wondering if I got some chinese knockoff crap. Luckily, I'm about to do the 150k service and got the new plugs from the dealership. Outside of calling and verifying the number on the plug, I don't see an easy way to distinguish.

 

And here is one regarding counterfeit oil filters.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j15x1umneYI

 

Scary! I purchased a 10 pack of Toyota filters from Amazon, hope they are real.

 

I just got OEM pulleys from Toyotapartsdeal.com. I agree that the “K” on the eBay bearing does not look like genuine Koyo. I believe the eBay bearings are fake as hell.

pic of genuine OEM:

 

eBay (left) vs OEM (right)

 

Note that genuine Koyo says “Japan” on it, but eBay bearing does not. Also the genuine Koyo bearing and pulley just looks like it’s machined nicer than the eBay version.

 

im coming to the conclusion that mostly 80% or more of Toyota OEM parts listed on EBAY would be considered highly suspect to being fakes especially if the price compared to what a Toyota dealer sells them for is twice the cost. Seems the same for Amazons parts even if the seller is stateside based. This is why its a good idea to Tariff these MFers to the stoneage for dumping this bogus shit on our shores by the ton, we would never get away with doing this kind of business to anyone else.

 

Agreed. I will buy Toyota parts off Amazon, but only if the seller is a known Toyota dealer. Otherwise I assume it’s fake.

 

I got burnt buying some Iridium spark plugs(didn't install them) after finding out that these iridiums are highly faked and came to the conclusion they are bogus ones, im wondering if what Rockauto is selling isn't the same crap as whats going on with EBAY and AMAZON stuff since their prices are always cheaper than most others I guess best bet is do deal directly with the Toyota parts dept.

 

It’s getting to the point that if you want genuine Toyota parts, you need to go the the dealer and bend over. Fakes are just too common.

If the price is too good to be true, it probably is. $150 for Toyota pulleys, belt and tensioner is less than half price at the dealer. You have to be skeptical and ask yourself how Joe Blow the eBay seller can undercut the dealer by so much.

 

While I agree, and have been burned by the bogus spark plugs, the dealer cost is usually higher than you can get elsewhere. For instance, OEM U-joints and center support bearing are made by Dana/Spicer. Dealership wants ~$75 per u-joint, but I was able to get them from RockAuto for about $70 for all 3 (for the rear driveshaft) shipped. Center Support bearing I bought as a Spicer brand even had Toyota and the correct part number stamped in the rubber. I don't remember the dealer cost, but it was significantly more than what I paid. Just food for thought. Not disagreeing with anyone. I'll be going to the dealership when I decide to replace my AutoZone Duralast brake rotors again. The Duralast just don't last like the OEM ones did.

 

Keep in mind the Toyota branded OEM parts may be different than the same brand part made for the aftermarket. The Bando belt is a good example of that. Toyota sometimes has higher standards for parts with their name on it than what the manufacturer normally produces. The term “OEM” can get a little murky sometimes.

 

Interesting....