The drive belt on my 97 I notice has a little chunk missing out of it. I noticed a while ago it was just a tiny little piece on the edge but now it probably about 1/5 of the width of the belt

I should replace yes?


Also does the brand of belt matter:

Gatorback-$34
Duralast -$23
valucraft - $18

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Clay
1997.2 40th SLE-138k
1968 Bonneville 400ci w/TH-400-40k
1999 GMC Suburban SLT-191k
2005 Escalade 253k-GINA

Yea replace it. Brand is up to you and your wallet.

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-Matt

Replace, yes. I have had the best luck with Gatorback, but that's up to you.
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-Dan
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2012 Nissan Maxima SV Premium • Super Black • Charcoal • VQ35DE • Bose • Factory HID • 5000k LED Int/Ext
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__I n n o v a t i o n__T h a t __E x c i t e s

FYI -I just cut my Gatorback belt off last week. It was a good 3" longer than when new, if that tells you anything. I was even forewarned by the guys at Autozone when I bought it from them.
I'd suggest getting a Gates V-groove belt. I had one on my old 95 Bonneville SLE SC, and hated it for no reason other than wanting to have a Gatorback. I will never buy another gatorback.
Can't wait for better weather and $30 so I can get a Gates V-groove SC belt so I can have my boost back.

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DHP Powrtuner & Tech 2
1998 GTP Coupe
1999 SSEi 70k miles
2000 Silverado 2500 Ext Cab 4x4/6.0L/4L80E
2000 Trans Am WS6 LQ3 (LQ4 w/LS3 top end) 4L60E
2001 SLE
2002 Monte Carlo SS Top-swapped FSIC Gen V TOG's, Mezeire.....
2002 GTP 40th Anniv Ed Coupe
2004 GTP Comp G 'Bottom-swapped'

Better yet, you may be wise to find out what is causing the belt to fail in this manner, usually something causes it, I haven't heard of one doing it on its own, otherwise, you will be posting this question again very soon...

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~Randall~


1993 Buick Park Avenue - 197k - Some odds and ends done - Simply won't die
1994 Buick Regal - 78k - Bone stock - Always ready for a good kicking
1990 Oldsmobile 88 - Gone to a better place

Never use Duralast anything.

Gatorback is highly recommended. I've never had any problems with mine other than what I do to them myself (I run an odd and very abusive belt path on the Zilla). Gates is good, Gatorback is good. Duralast is Duracrap.

Marty posts a bad experience with Gatorback, but I've got 4 running now, and have only had one fail in the abusive situation mentioned above. I also know personally of a good couple dozen gatorbacks running just fine as well.

Inspect your pulleys and idlers for what might have caused this. The plastic idler pulleys are a prime suspect, and should spin freely.

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Thanks

Also it looks like the part of the belt with the teeth or whatever is cracked vertically and horizontally between ALL the teeth. I think its just old. Could a chunk just have fallen off from being old?

_________________
Clay
1997.2 40th SLE-138k
1968 Bonneville 400ci w/TH-400-40k
1999 GMC Suburban SLT-191k
2005 Escalade 253k-GINA

The ribs coming off could be age, but fraying on the edges usually doesn't happen. It might be safe to replace it and see if it starts munching on the new belt if you don't find any obvious issues.

_________________
~Randall~


1993 Buick Park Avenue - 197k - Some odds and ends done - Simply won't die
1994 Buick Regal - 78k - Bone stock - Always ready for a good kicking
1990 Oldsmobile 88 - Gone to a better place

Its not fraying at all. The edges of the belt are very good as is the smooth side of the belt. There is just this random chunk that fell off. And then I took the belt off and noticed that the toothy side was pretty cracked too.

_________________
Clay
1997.2 40th SLE-138k
1968 Bonneville 400ci w/TH-400-40k
1999 GMC Suburban SLT-191k
2005 Escalade 253k-GINA

Gatorback FTW!!


replace it now and save yourself the headache of it breaking later when you need the car lol

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Cardomain link

Fully tinted, 5000K HID hi/lo & fogs, LED conversion (interior/red rear signals/reverse light/license plate/trunk/sun visor/glove box/switch backs), turn signal mirrors, JVC KW-NT3 Navi & BT, KV-CM1 Camera, 2x JL 13TW5, JL G-Max, black & chrome emblem, 20" black & red, clear corners, center tail light up, half tinted tail lights, cross drilled rotors, Hawk ceramic pads, and more..

Black GXP. One of a kind. RIP.
G35 Coupe 6MT. Stockishhh

I have gatorbacks for both belts and am happy with both purchases

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Bonneville Forum COTM Sept. 09
Pontiac Bonneville Club COTM Dec. 09

Wow yes, replace it before it pops off while you're driving!
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_________________
-Dan
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2012 Nissan Maxima SV Premium • Super Black • Charcoal • VQ35DE • Bose • Factory HID • 5000k LED Int/Ext
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__I n n o v a t i o n__T h a t __E x c i t e s

I have a Dayco Poly Cog? from advance on my S/C and a stocker on my accessories, although I do have a new belt for it, just been too lazy to do anything with it. It's been fine so far. I might replace both with Gates and keep these as spares.

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Bye Bye:

RIP sandrock