2 weeks ago I changed out my idler pulley assembly with one from O'Riellys, and a new gates belt. Well, I changed it out on a monday night. The next saturday I went to check my oil, and there was belt shreddings everywhere, and only half the belt was left. But, it was still working. I dont know why this happened. I had it in all the right grooves. I am thinking the idler might be bad.

So, i go get a new belt. This one is a "Goodyear Gatorback". This thing wont track at all for some reason. It keeps riding off on the a/c compressor. So, I put the old one that I originally took off the week before back on. It tracks fine. So I just left it on there. I havent been driving it because I have no 5th gear, but the little driving I have done, the old one hasnt come off yet. IM kinda stumped.

I was thinking of changing out the pulleys, and putting the old tensioner back on. But, that would void the warranty on the new tensioner I bought. Man, I just dont want this truck to eat belts!!!

 

The only thing that could really do that would be not getting it in the groove right. Probably on the crank pully. I trashed one from that. It is really hard to see the crank pully right, best to crawl under and look at it from the bottom. Either that or it was on one of the flat pullys off too far to track right on startup. Probably in that case the idler pully.

 

Im thinking the same thing. I had the new gates belt off track just a little, and it jumped the a/c pulley.

But that "Gatorback" belt is something different. I put it on like 5 times, and still couldnt get it to work. It was the right part number, but the grooves look wider.

IS anyone using a gatorback belt?

 

Mine is a gatorback, could it be that you got a bad partnumber?

 

The part number was the same as the gates. Thats is what confuses me.

I put a new belt, and a new tensioner on. Then five days later I find the belt all chewed up. I have no idea how long I was driving on half a belt.

Im gonna try putting on the old tensioner, and the gatorback, and see what happens.

 

Did you replace the entire tensioner or just the pulley?
The tensioners wear out at the pivot point and will tilt the belt chewing it up.
Also on some years, not sure which, the belt routing diagram on the radiator support is wrong.

 

I'v had the exact same problem and it ended up being a locked up compressor and a bad spring in the tensioner or something. Good luck anyways

 

I have the Gatorback belt. Works good for me and stopped all of the noise the old belt used to make.

 

Same here, no complaints with the gatorback. Had it on and off a few time, still no problems. Somethings not right. Kevin

 

I had one do the same thing my compressor bearing was bad 2 belts both gatorbacks made up by vendor. Replaced comp still runing same gatorback 2 years later.
Good Luck Cookieman

 

Well,,,I put the old tensioner back on and the gatorback belt tracks fine. been driving for 2 days on it.

I guess I will try and get my money back on that new tensioner I bought. What a waste of time.