Serpentine Belt Replacement

I just checked the condition of my serpentine belt on my 08 PreRunner at 45,000 miles and it appears to have no cracking on it. At what mileage have you guys replaced this belt? Looks like a MoFo to replace.........

 

All depends on conditions it's run in. I've changed them at 30 and some at over 60. As long as it's not cracked and doesn't appear to be frayed or separating then you should be ok. If you start to get a belt noise then that's an indicator it could be starting to dry out. Then I would change it. Not hard to replace. I do it from the bottom.

 

Its actually not that bad, i just did mine over the summer. I had 43,000 ish on mine when i did it.nothing wrong, just preventative maintainence. No idea if/when it was done, since i bought my truck used

 

I haven't changed it yet (74k) but recently started getting some squeaking on rainy/humid days so I think it's time.

 

I believe the V6 Tacoma and a FJ cruiser are the same engine......On the FJ forum some dudes are saying 15--20 minutes tops to change the Serp. belt......I spent 90 minutes underneath the turd removing skid palte etc......still didn't get it changed!.But,I'll be damned if I'm going to pay $200 for Toyota to do it...She'll rust before that?.

 

I dropped the skid plate and held the tensioner while the Mrs pulled the belt off from the bottom and I unhooked it from the top then reversed to put on. Print out a copy of the routing from the FSM beforehand. Took 10 minutes, including the skid plate.

 

The newer belts will probably last 70 to 80,000 miles before they need to be changed because of the newer compounds used in making them.

Looking at them visually they may look OK as they won't show cracks or dry rot like the older belts, but the little V's still wear causing slippage and not driving some of the components as they should.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ck8HollJYOc

 

Replaced mine around 60k cause of a light squeel. Easy to replace if you remove the skidplate and work from the bottom. I tried from the top and it was hard. Did it myself in about 35 mins. you can do it in less if you start straight from the bottom

 

nice!!!

after my wife and i experienced the joys of brake bleeding together..she wont even acknowledge me if i call out for help from the garage.

it was awful.

"okay, pump it up..your pumped up?"
"yes"
"okay, opening the bleeder!"
"okay, pumping it up now!"
"wtf?'

..hahahhaha..it was probably our first argument as a couple. awesome. i bought a motive power bleeder about 3 seconds after that "event".

 

Thanks dYLon.

I looked at mine last week and after a quick look I said to myself it may be easier to go from underneath. Thanks for the confirmation, I will probably go that route. I figure I have about 30,000 to go before a change.

My wife knows nothing about mechanical issues, but she is a good sport and has helped out on many occasions 'aficianado.' I'm going to have to try the old brake bleed trick with her.