Need to replace serpentine belt - opinions on brands? OEM or aftermarket?

paulnola · 02-06-2012, 09:41 AM

I need to replace the serpentine drive belt soon, but am not sure if this is one of those parts that should always be replaced with OEM. I am not very familiar with the quality & reputation of the most of the aftermarket brands that I've seen, such as Goodyear Eng., Dayco, Gates, NAPA Belts, etc. Any bad experiences or dissatisfaction with any of these? They seem to be very close in price. I did not consider any other house/store brands, as they were a bit lower in price, and possibly in quality as well.

Thanks

**Earl43P** · 02-06-2012, 01:30 PM

You can't go wrong with a Goodyear Gatorback.

--weezl-- · 02-06-2012, 01:34 PM

a belt is a belt for the most part...

i've always used dayco by a matter of coincidence more than anything, never had any issues...

except for that one i had on my mustang that shredded into a strip not much bigger than a piece of spaghetti when it was -20 and i has nothing but water in the engine, and the water pump was frozen solid, and i started it but i think that might have been an issue with the temperature and coolant

rangerbum · 02-06-2012, 02:04 PM

I've always preferred Gates brand for belts. But I've also never heard any complaints for the gatorback either.

JP02XLT · 02-06-2012, 04:54 PM

I recently changed to a Gatorback on my truck, with the SC on this truck, it gets the belt replaced every year, the Gatorback lasted about 3 weeks, then shred itself to nothing, prior to that it squealed and made every other noise imaginable to man.

I even had it off several times looking for a problem but found nothing and had no noise or problems before the change to the gatorback. After it shredded I installed a Gates and have not had any noise or problems and nothing was changed except the belt.

Gates only for me, they also have a Kevlar version.

JP02XLT

FloridaRangerGuy · 02-08-2012, 09:59 AM

I've been through multiple Gates and Dayco belts over the years. Always started sqealing after a few weeks or so. Mainly after a good rain. Switched to the Gatorback per suggestion from some on this forum and have had a nice quiet ride since. Wear on the Gatorback minimal so far.

**shane96ranger** · 02-08-2012, 10:48 AM

I've used Kelly Springfield, Gates, and Goodyear. Never had an issue with any of them.

infantry grunt · 02-08-2012, 10:51 AM

gator back

**fixizin** · 06-22-2012, 01:27 PM

I've always had best long-term results (and least squeal) from the OEM belt...

THAT SAID, I've saved $10-$12 by going to the MAZDA dealer and getting a belt for the B3000, go figure.

Stealerships = racket? You bet. Auto parts in general = racket? You bet.

Auto parts FROM a FORD stealership = organized crime!

--weezl-- · 06-22-2012, 06:28 PM

You realize this thread has been dormant for about 4 months, right?

Sent from somewhere naughty!

FloridaRangerGuy · 07-02-2012, 01:57 PM

.....and four months later.....gatorback still nice and quiet with minmal wear.

**fixizin** · 07-10-2012, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by --weezl--

You realize this thread has been dormant for about 4 months, right?

Does that make me a baaaad person? Probably. It's duh HEAT, I tell ya duh summer HEAT!... and our basketball team by the same name, they drive me crazy too.

Anyway, serpentine belt squeal on ze 3.0 Vulcan is a topic that NEVER gets old, eh? It's just a matter of time until the belt gremlin visits YOU.

02-06-2012, 09:41 AM	#1
paulnola Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Atlanta, New Orleans Expat Year: 2004 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 3.0 Class: 2WD Used For: Everyday Driver Posts: 32 Rep Power: 10 iTrader: (0)	Need to replace serpentine belt - opinions on brands? OEM or aftermarket? I need to replace the serpentine drive belt soon, but am not sure if this is one of those parts that should always be replaced with OEM. I am not very familiar with the quality & reputation of the most of the aftermarket brands that I've seen, such as Goodyear Eng., Dayco, Gates, NAPA Belts, etc. Any bad experiences or dissatisfaction with any of these? They seem to be very close in price. I did not consider any other house/store brands, as they were a bit lower in price, and possibly in quality as well. Thanks
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02-06-2012, 01:30 PM	#2
Earl43P Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: E-City, NC Year: 2000 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 3.0 Class: 4WD Used For: DD Posts: 2,769 Rep Power: 21 iTrader: (1)	You can't go wrong with a Goodyear Gatorback. __________________ If at first, you don't succeed, RTFM.
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02-06-2012, 02:04 PM	#4
rangerbum Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Kalispell, Montana Year: 1997 Make: Ford Model: Ranger 5 Speed flareside Engine: 2.3L Class: 2wd Used For: making sure my wallet doesnt become a burden Posts: 1,327 Rep Power: 16 iTrader: (0)	I've always preferred Gates brand for belts. But I've also never heard any complaints for the gatorback either. __________________ 97 Ranger 2.3 5spd 2wd suspension built to go fast, and not look back. 85 Bronco II 2.8 4x4 5spd 3" lift, custom welded aluminum roof rack, mazda b series wheels, 31x10.50s, push button ignition.
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02-06-2012, 04:54 PM	#5
JP02XLT Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Year: 02 Make: Ranger Model: XLT Engine: 3.0 Class: 2WD Posts: 271 Rep Power: 10 iTrader: (1)	I recently changed to a Gatorback on my truck, with the SC on this truck, it gets the belt replaced every year, the Gatorback lasted about 3 weeks, then shred itself to nothing, prior to that it squealed and made every other noise imaginable to man. I even had it off several times looking for a problem but found nothing and had no noise or problems before the change to the gatorback. After it shredded I installed a Gates and have not had any noise or problems and nothing was changed except the belt. Gates only for me, they also have a Kevlar version. JP02XLT __________________ BowTie Killer Last edited by JP02XLT; 02-06-2012 at 09:58 PM.
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02-08-2012, 09:59 AM	#6
FloridaRangerGuy New Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Backwoods of Central Florida Year: 1999 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 3.0 V6 Class: 2WD Used For: Gets me where I want to go Posts: 21 Rep Power: 0 iTrader: (0)	I've been through multiple Gates and Dayco belts over the years. Always started sqealing after a few weeks or so. Mainly after a good rain. Switched to the Gatorback per suggestion from some on this forum and have had a nice quiet ride since. Wear on the Gatorback minimal so far.
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02-08-2012, 10:51 AM	#8
infantry grunt Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: alabama Year: 1994 Make: mazda Model: b-3000 Engine: 3.0l Class: 4x4 Used For: everything Posts: 210 Rep Power: 9 iTrader: (1)	gator back __________________ 4 inch skyjacker,3 inch body,d35 and 99 explorer 8.8 with disc brakes,33x1250-15,4.56 gears,flat black paint(removed and/or painted over ALL reflectors, homemade,cannot and will not be detected at night, spare tire carrier(made from sway bar)mounts in the bed,back off or dim your lights rear monted fog lights w/toggle switch(lol),trimmed fenders,and saving up for 35's(finally)WOOHOO!!
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06-22-2012, 01:27 PM	#9
fixizin on DUH Learning Curve Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL Year: 99 Make: FoMoCo Model: XL 2-dr ext cab "Sport", vinyl flooring, 7.5diff 3L73, PVHubs=S.O.L. Engine: 3.0 (Flex)-->M5OD Class: 4x4 Used For: Sugar Sand Trails Posts: 645 Rep Power: 12 iTrader: (0)	I've always had best long-term results (and least squeal) from the OEM belt... THAT SAID, I've saved $10-$12 by going to the MAZDA dealer and getting a belt for the B3000, go figure. Stealerships = racket? You bet. Auto parts in general = racket? You bet. Auto parts FROM a FORD stealership = organized crime!
	Tweet

07-02-2012, 01:57 PM	#11
FloridaRangerGuy New Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Backwoods of Central Florida Year: 1999 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 3.0 V6 Class: 2WD Used For: Gets me where I want to go Posts: 21 Rep Power: 0 iTrader: (0)	.....and four months later.....gatorback still nice and quiet with minmal wear.
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