Goodyear Gatorback (Acc. belt)

[devinlamothe]

Hey all,

This may be just my experience with this belt but, STAY AWAY. This belt squeals like a mofo on start because the material is slippery and/or it does not work well for our car (yes, I did get the proper part).

Had my mechanic re-tighten and it STILL does it. Not very healthy at all. Went back to an OEM belt and now things are fine.

If anyone has had any other experiences with the gatorback let me know what it has done to your car.

[YarisSedan]

Only 2 belts id ever use is Bando first and if for some reason i cant get it then gates as a secondary. Both are OE belt manufactures for nearly all cars.

[1stToyota]

If at all possible, I use Bando or ContiTech first (Napa's Import Altrom line)...and their Gates belt if they're not available.

[CTScott]

I have always had good luck with Gatorbacks. I don't currently have any on either Yaris, but my Xterra is running two (main drive belt and supercharger belt) and my Bunton commercial mower is running a full set (four belts).

[severous01]

i had a gatorback on my camaro...400+ hp, ac, 160 amp alternator...never had a problem. my jeep had one on it, put on at 60k miles and it was still good 6 yrs later at 275k miles.

buddy of mine said his was like 9 yrs old on his camaro. he said he's had to change just about every idler and tension pully 4-5 times but kept the belt.


i like the gatorbacks. they do hum a little bit but it's worthi it's weight in gold for what it does and how long it'll last.

[Rick]

I've got to give Gatorbacks their due also. I've got a ten year old Gatorback on my blown Cobra (~50K mi) that sees severe service regularly. At max boost the blower sucks about 75 horsepower more through the accessory drive serpentine belt than an OEM system would. I expected that belt to be an ongoing problem ... but it has not been.

For all I know it may not run quietly, but it's not louder than the blower.

[devinlamothe]

I just meant it's not good for the Yaris, lol. On start it ALWAYS slips and squeals like mad. Either that or my mech didn't do a good job tightening it.

I don't doubt on other cars it works great as I went by all the rave reviews on how quiet it is.

[CTScott]

I just meant it's not good for the Yaris, lol. On start it ALWAYS slips and squeals like mad. Either that or my mech didn't do a good job tightening it.

I don't doubt on other cars it works great as I went by all the rave reviews on how quiet it is.

If he didn't tighten it properly to begin with, the belt may have glazed. Once it's glazed, it'll squeal like a pig.

[devinlamothe]

If he didn't tighten it properly to begin with, the belt may have glazed. Once it's glazed, it'll squeal like a pig.

That could very well be. I hope this won't damage anything - I have an appointment set up for next Tuesday (earliest time I could get in :cry:).

It freakin' squeals like crazy right in the morning and only for a few seconds every start after that. I just don't want it to snap.

[Black Yaris]

I just put a gatorback on my 1AZ-FE in the RAV with no problems..... I have always used gatorbacks, they last forever and have never squealed for me

[CTScott]

That could very well be. I hope this won't damage anything - I have an appointment set up for next Tuesday (earliest time I could get in :cry:).

It freakin' squeals like crazy right in the morning and only for a few seconds every start after that. I just don't want it to snap.

It won't hurt anything, except your ears. As long as the squeak stops once it's up and running then the alternator and waterpump are being driven.

[severous01]

re-tighten and hit it with some brake cleaner while it's running. on the inside, not outside. also, dont use carb/choke cleaner as it leaves residue. and dont drench it, just tap the nozzle till the whole thing is wet.

[MUSKOKA800]

Or try belt dressing. The product engineered for the purpose.
Industrial supply houses should have it if local auto parts stores don't.

[yarrr]

^^ but increasing friction by corroding your belt and taking half its life is so much more fun! Kinda like cutting extra grooves in your tires to keep them from spinning on a launch.

[IllusionX]

reiving old thread...

I didn't research before buying, but i got the gatorback for my Yaris.. installed, drove 200km and let it sit outside.. it squeaked, then i re-tighten it and it never squeaked again.

[UberSilver]

I put a $2.73 gates from rockauto, and it does chirp on start up, but thats it.

[alanwagen]

IMHO, I like Gates belts. Around $15 bucks.