Drive Belts

[acf]

Took the rig into my local shop for an oil change and investigate why the oil light comes on intermitently...

Anyway, got a call saying that the "drive belts" were "dry and cracking" and he suggested replacement. Says should be done every 50k miles or so. Which belts are those exactly? If they go, I assume car stops but no damage to engine occurs? He wants $140 to replace those. Too much?

Also suggested getting brake pads replaced because they are "more than 50% worn".

The truck has 109k miles, had the 90k service done by PO at 100k. I've got most of the maint. records (dealer serviced) but no mention of belt replacement but the brakes had been done at 89k.

Still waiting on "oil light diagnosis" but hopefully if its intermitent and the pressure gauge looks good its not a big deal?

Thanks.

 

[sixsracing]

Belts are not that difficult to do, every 50k is a little on the extreme side. If you don't do any work yourself I guess have him do it.

50% worn on the brake pads is kind of vague. Is it more like 53% or more like 90%? Anything under a sixteenth of an inch left is too close, an eighth of an inch left is cutting it to within 6,000 miles or 6 months. I have omly had my LX for a short time but 20,000 miles on braked pads seems a little soon unless you were hauling a lot of weight or a trailer.

 

[LX_TREME]

He wants $140 to replace those. Too much?

Ouchh...$140?? come on you can do all 3 belts by yourself, piece of cake.
I just did mine last Sat.

 

[Kalawang]

With advice to change pads just because they are more than 50% used, I'd look for another man to deal with my LC.


Kalawang

 

[photogod]

Belts are a job, really just takes a bit of time and don't get after market belts go OEM.

 

[LX_TREME]

Belts are a job, really just takes a bit of time and don't get after market belts go OEM.

Yeah i agree with that and make sure made in US. F#%* one of my belt is made
in Singapore

 

[Rookie2]

Is it to much? Sure. IIRC, the three belts are less than $30 from Cdan. You could add the FSM to that order, and still come out way ahead.

Now I'm not going to mislead you. Doing this job is not as simple as screwing in a light bulb. The quarters are somewhat tight, you'll need some sockets with various extentions and you probably should borrow a belt tensioner guage to make sure you've properly tighten them. I want to forewarn you of a few things if you decide to take this on; 1) you might learn something, 2) your wallet may seem slightly heavier, pulling your drawers to one side, 3) you may have a feeling of satisfacation and pride in yourself.

You've come to the crossroads. If you don't do this job, there's pretty much no maitenance you are willing to do yourself on your vehicle. So in that case, pay "the man" and don't worry about it.


Rookie2

 

[cruiserman]

If you replace the pads every time when they are 50% worn, you'll be doing 2 brake pad changes a year .

 

[Beast II]

Brake pads are a no brainer. Jack up vehicle, take off wheel, take caliper off (two bolts), take old brake pads out (keep note of where plates go), put new pads in same way, compress the pads with a c-clamp, put them back on disc with two bolts (torque to proper spec), put wheel back on, check brake fluid and add if necessary and that's it. You can get brake pads on all four for under $100.00 from C-Dan.

Probably easier than changing the belts.

 

[acf]

Thanks for the replies. I've admittedtly not had to touch the vehicle in the year I've had it (except oil) which is a testament to its unamatched quality and my mechanical ineptness. I live in a condo with no where to do much work but also do not have most of the required tools to do most jobs. You could also say free time is also a factor as our condo is for sale right now, we are looking for a house, and my wife is due any day now with our 2nd child. So it looks like "the man" will be doing the work right now. I told him to only do the oil right now and I'll get more details on the rest of the problems.

 

[brent]

Time, time, time, always an issue and it sounds like you do have a lot on the stove, as for paying someone to do work I always look at like I can pay this mechanic $140 or I can buy the belts, as said before probably $30 and buy $110 worth of tools..............I guess I always figured if I messed something up bad enough its only $50 for a tow???? somehow once its apart you always figure out how to put it back together, good luck with everything.........