Jeep KJ Liberty -Gates Tensioner and Belt !

[LibertyTC]

The tensioner will move to adjust slightly the belt when engine moves or rocks! shall we say
At idle no movement and dead straight now. The old tensioner had a wobble at idle indicating a weak spring and not keeping it taught.
The old belt did not help much either as it had worn 50 percent and had stretched out a bit as well.
New Gates belt awesome fits into the groove ...now get down and boogie !

 

[uss2defiant]

I was referring to the ribbed pulley, the one with the grooves. My new one has a slight forward backward wobble.

The tensioner is fine, doesn't wobble.

My replacement for this "new" tensioner is on the way but just wondering whether you had the same issue with your new gates replacement as well.

 

[LibertyTC]

There should be no wobble happening in the pulley itself...the bearing is bad if it does or somethings Fubar there.
My new Gates tesnsioner assembly/pulleys are tight !!

 

[uss2defiant]

so the replacement came in the mail today.
Both pulleys have a slight play to it.

You sure this is not normal? i would think that there would be some tolerance involve.

 

[LibertyTC]

Ok you are talking as with the belt off....ya a bit of play is normal.
I thought we were talking wobble with belt on..
When the new gates arrived I also noticed a tiny bit of movement..nothing great tho..thought it was normal.

 

[uss2defiant]

Ok you are talking as with the belt off....ya a bit of play is normal.
I thought we were talking wobble with belt on..
When the new gates arrived I also noticed a tiny bit of movement..nothing great tho..thought it was normal.

Oh yeah. with the belt off.
Are you referring to when it is running?

Thanks.

 

[uss2defiant]

woot!
replacement of the replacement has no pulley wobble with it running on the jeep.

 

[CzarKJ]

woot!
replacement of the replacement has no pulley wobble with it running on the jeep.

Very nice!

 

[LibertyTC]

I just did a 200 mile highway run and checked the new Gates tensioner & belt...
Click on image to see video...

You must be registered for see images attach

"]

You must be registered for see images attach

[/URL]
It is great when it "is tight" and does not wobble...LOL.. :happy175:

 

[uss2defiant]

sticky it?

 

[LibertyTC]

Yes maybe time to sticky ha ha..after a review of the 4 year old Gates belt...
62372[/ATTACH]"]

You must be registered for see images attach

It does get darn hot under the Jeep hood...
I have contacted Gates awaiting an email reply to see if a more robust belt is available..will let you know what they say.
Interesting to note that I should break out the micrometer to measure the thickness difference between the Gates & the OE Mopar serpentine.
62374[/ATTACH]"]

You must be registered for see images attach

62376[/ATTACH]"]

You must be registered for see images attach

Hard to believe that after only 4 years of using the Gates, that the older Mopar belt appears to be in better condition, quality & the way to go...
I think the Mopar belt may be more oil resistant as well.
However, the new Mopar belt # is 53013905AA has been superseded now a few times. Until I see a new one, who knows what it will look like today.

 

[LibertyTC]

I wish I had better news.
Just got off the phone with Gates Corporate. Very quick to answer the phone.
After conversations with their manager of tech/design, regarding the standard Gates K060863, the better quality performance EPDM belts, "Fleet Runner" or "Racing" are simply not available from them in the exact size required = Sad or better known as PPP.

At dealer today, I also Viewed the latest offering.. re the Mopar belt # 53013905AA.
I do not know who makes the new belt or is it even EPDM?
Photo does not lie & says it all....
62378[/ATTACH]"]

You must be registered for see images attach

62380[/ATTACH]"]

You must be registered for see images attach

I guess they do not make stuff like they use to !
Continental, Dayco, Good Year, there are not many choices left.
Possibly the Gates K060863 still may be the best option today.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Time to start getting factory belts at the junkyard!

I have a Gates on mine now, for about a year. Had a Dayco before for about 3 years before. I still have that one laying around, have to compare them and see the condition.

 

[Aceofspades]

On my supercharged vehicles belt slip was huge and gates used to be the way to go along with the now discontinued gator belts from good year.

I like the extra grip on the original backside of the mopar belt as well.

 

[Leeann]

Goodyear Gatorback belts are now Continental Elite Poly-V, so I have been informed.

 

[LibertyTC]

Yes Leeann I just called my parts supplier they also confirmed that Gatorback are now Continental.
Ordered one today, the part number is in the image below.
Looks like I have another belt to test out for the Jeep, review to follow after install & in another 4 years !
62382[/ATTACH]"]

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[uss2defiant]

I use dayco in my vehicles.

 

[TomB985]

Very interesting thread, and I love how you've updated with a 4-year-review.

My only comment is that "different" isn't synonymous with "worse". The new belt is made differently, but how do you know it won't last even longer than the factory one that your Jeep was assembled with?

 

[LibertyTC]

Any modern belts will last a very long time and are reliable, otherwise we would be seeing them broken everywhere, all over the road !
The belts should typically be good for up to 60 k + miles, I normally just replace the belts every 4 to 5 years, a fresh belt is a good reliable belt!
Inspecting for wear & pulley alignment is only part of the big picture, here is a good read: Serpentine Belt Wear – Ten Tips on When and How To Replace

The new Continental Elite arrived today and anyone who has utilized a GY Gatorback before will immediately notice the similarity:
62384[/ATTACH]"]

You must be registered for see images attach

It's new, it's beefy & it is an EPDM quality link: Poly-V® Belts - Elite Aftermarket
62386[/ATTACH]"]

You must be registered for see images attach

I will get it installed hopefully by the weekend, with more review /information to follow..

 

[TomB985]

I'm a moderator on another forum, and we have a longtime member who owned an airport shuttle service that ran lots of miles. One of his vans ran 430,000 miles on a Dayco belt.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1376312-2006-high-mile-spark-plugs-and-belt.html

After reading that a few years ago, I no longer worry much about the belt. I'm far from the oldest guy in the room at 33, but I've never shredded one before. I keep an eye on them, but rarely change them out. I've never changed a tensioner.