Just a question about accessory belts, don't flame me too much please.

[SynisterQ]

I'm pretty sure everybody on here will suggest to get Infiniti accessory belts from Joe, but I was wondering how much better can they possibly be than the Goodyear Gatorback belts? I've used Gatorbacks on my 5.0 Mustangs and they've always performed flawlessly. I know, a 5.0 is much more crude and unrefined than a VH45DE, but its not like its internal engine parts that require strict tolerances. The reason I ask is because it is a lot more convenient for me to buy them from Autozone than to order online. However, if somebody can give good enough reasons, then I don't mind doing the latter.

[oldmako]

The first week I owned my car I called Joe and requested "all the belts" for my 99. There are 4 of them. A week later I received 3 belts and 2 of them were identical. In other words, I was still short 2 belts. I then walked across the street and bought the missing 2 belts off the shelf at Advance Auto.

They appeared identical to the OEM belts and they were much cheaper. All four were installed that day. When they fail, I'll post here with months of service and mileage as compared to the OEM belts. In the meantime I won't lose any sleep over the possible premature failure of my non OEM belts.

I cannot tell you the last time I had ANY belt on any car fail, but then again I tend to change them out when they start to show signs of wear.

Good luck Homie.

[qship96]

A fresh new belt is always better than any old failing one- the trick is to be sure the auto part store clerk is accurate in giving you the correct part number- Q used a few different belt sizes depending on different options like active suspension,etc

Double, triple check that you get correct parts before leaving store and all should be good for the next 4 years or so

[Rex]

IIRC, jamesmost (has a G50) has used goodyear belts and had failures in a short amount of time.

Edit: Not goodyear, but non-OEM

zerothread?id=214851

[maxnix]

Most non OEM blets are incorrectly sized, especially if you have active or HICAS. Nissan components tend to be a litttle higher grade than Chinese imitaion parts that American automotive retailers carry.

[marksport]

If I could find the gatorbacks easily in my area, I would have gone with those. I think they are a better design, as I also ran a supercharger on my motor.

[DrewQ45]

I'm pretty sure everybody on here will suggest to get Infiniti accessory belts from Joe, but I was wondering how much better can they possibly be than the Goodyear Gatorback belts? I've used Gatorbacks on my 5.0 Mustangs and they've always performed flawlessly. I know, a 5.0 is much more crude and unrefined than a VH45DE, but its not like its internal engine parts that require strict tolerances. The reason I ask is because it is a lot more convenient for me to buy them from Autozone than to order online. However, if somebody can give good enough reasons, then I don't mind doing the latter.

Just keep a spare set and a few tools in the trunk. I usually save a set of my old cracked up belts to tide me over just in case.

....Drew....

[Q451990]

I know that some aftermarket belts are actually made here in the USA. A buddy of mine worked as an engineer at a Dayco rubber plant somewhere out in the sticks about 90 minutes out of Columbia... Williston maybe?

In any case I don't see the harm in trying a correctly sized aftermarket belt. The worst possible outcome would be the belt driving the water pump failing and causing an overheat - but I think that one also drives the p/s pump, so you would know quickly and just have to react by turning the car off immediately and coasting to the side of the road.

Heath