Opinions Wanted
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Racer
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 251
Likes: 9
From: Western Massachusetts
Opinions Wanted
I'm asking what others have done! My '99 FRC has 75k miles on it. I have religiously maintained it and have had no major problems. In the next months I will be taking several long (800+ miles) trips. My question - should I consider changing the belts/pulleys? Right now all is well - should I adopt the don't fix it if it's not broken attitude or just do it and know it's done! If it's do it - what brands of parts? My expense is cost of parts and time spent (which I enjoy)! Also, if I go ahead should I change the entire tensioner assembly or just the pulley?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,503
Likes: 33
From: McGrady NC
St. Jude Donor '15-'16
If the belt is the original I'd give it a good inspection for bad cracking or any other blemishes. It's a cheap fix. While it's off, check the tensioner bearing for looseness and replace the tensioner if needed. As far as the pulleys, you are on your own. If your car has had good care and reasonable driving then I'd doubt that the pulleys would be an issue.
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,441
Likes: 2,186
From: Buffalo Texas
It would not take much to remove the main belt and then spin the pulleys,see if they make any noise or don't feel free ??? then look at the AC pulleys and see if there is any rust showing around the center part of the pulley ??? (good sign the bearing could be failing ???? The AC belt is a little harder to remove unless you have a hoist !!!!
Last edited by Pounder; Mar 21, 2016 at 05:27 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,258
Likes: 544
From: Appleton WI
Not sure how old your belts are. If original, I'd change them. If not, inspect for cracking. If everything else is operating smoothly, just do your normal maintenance. When is the last time you changed your coolant and cleaned the radiator?
Racer
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 470
Likes: 58
If you suspect those are original belts, it's time to change them. If you don't know, a good inspection is in order and if in doubt better safe than sorry. That vintage I'd also recommend checking the rubber brake lines for cracks. If the pullys are smooth, straight and quiet, no need to change them.
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As mentioned, if you're not sure if the belts have ever been changed, I'd go ahead and change them. They are not that expensive or difficult to DIY. The hoses can be inspected for cracks, bulges, etc. and if suspect, replace them. As long as all other maintenance items are up to date, you should be OK.
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As far as the spring loaded tensioner pulleys are concerned, I recommend replacing the tensioner assembly, but at a MINIMUM I recommend replacing the pulley(s) itself.
If you've ever had a pulley let go while traveling and you are hundreds of miles from home, you'll wish you had. I did, and fortunately it was daytime (pulled off Interstate into a gas station in a moderately populated area), and the belt did not tear up anything else. I DID however, have to spend the night at a hotel across the street because it was Sunday (OF COURSE) and the following morning had it towed to a local garage who made the repair in less than 30 minutes. Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Ah yes, remember it well.
If you've ever had a pulley let go while traveling and you are hundreds of miles from home, you'll wish you had. I did, and fortunately it was daytime (pulled off Interstate into a gas station in a moderately populated area), and the belt did not tear up anything else. I DID however, have to spend the night at a hotel across the street because it was Sunday (OF COURSE) and the following morning had it towed to a local garage who made the repair in less than 30 minutes. Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Ah yes, remember it well.
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