Serpentine belt failed...

[DHuffman]

I was headed to Texas today to pick up some wheels and tires for my Jeep. I got about a mile from my house, and when I went to stop at a stop sign, no power brakes and then a loud flapping sound... I knew I had lost the belt. Only 40,900 miles on it. This is the ONLY problem I have had with this truck.



After I got the belt out of the engine bay, I creeped home (these trucks are a pain to drive without power steering!!!). I checked all of the pulleys and the tensioner and everything moves freely, and the tensioner seems to work OK. Once I got the new belt on ($65 at my dealer) I observed the tracking at each pulley, and everything looks OK. Any ideas why it would crap one out so early? I have read on here about power steering pump issues - is there a way to check this?



Thanks



The install wasn't a problem once I figured out a trick - then it went on in 5 minutes. Spent about 20 minutes before I figured it out.

 

[Tinman]

I don't know why it broke, but I just replaced my cam with a PDR cam and now my belt screams when I get on it. I don't know if I got some oil on it or if I put it on backwards and it was married to the pulleys the other way. I gonna have to replace it anyhow. I'll keep it as a spare. I examined it while it was off and it looked good. Truck has 40K.

 

[SHobbs]

I replaced the factory belt with a Gatorback and have never had a issue with it. I have only replaced it once thinking it was gettin old and needed it, I keep the old one for a spare now.

 

[Tinman]

I've heard the Gatorback is a good belt. Where'd you get it?

 

[SHobbs]

Tinman,



I got mine at Autozone I would think anyplace would have them though. If I remember correctly I think I paid around $30.

 

[Linedog]

I have 145k on mine i've replaced it two times with
same issue I would like to know also
Joe

 

[SHobbs]

The Gatorback also stops the shutdown chirp too.