Serpentine belt defective or something else

30 days ago I had the serpentine changed due to age and minor cracking. Today about 300 miles later the new "Gates" belt is fraying on the inside edge. The old belt had minor cracks but no fraying. Could the reason be the install or the new belt being defective. 2013 4.0

 

Did you change any idler/other pulleys or just change the belt?

Gates is normally pretty good, but for a serpentine belt, I’d get OEM Toyota. Bando makes it for Toyota, but after comparing them side by side, the Toyota branded one is better.

 

or could be the GATES idler pulley is not positioned to where the belt rides off center and prematurely fails

 

I’ve had that happen. You can smell burning belt for a few days before it fails (at least in my case). After that I installed brand new Toyota idlers and Toyota branded belt. No probs after that.

 

from what I've read the idlers need to have perfect alignment in order for the belt to properly function, which using aftermarket branded idlers are off vs. OEM, even slightly causes failure

 

Just had the belt changed. I am about 35 miles to dealer. Repair shop said bring it by. Is it safe to drive or should I have it toed. I ordered new gates belt to pick up later today at Oreillys.

 

too bad Toyota just had a big Memorial day with free shipping ended 5/31 tho, I'd highly recommend using OEM parts whenever possible

 

Just ordered the Toyota brand belt from Amazon. Should get it a few days. I put the old belt back on and yes seems better than the one that was installed for some reason.