Duralast timing belt review.

[Suprawillis]

This thread is about as exciting as Larry King's sex life, but I wanted to share the duralast timing belt review and to give those insight who are wary of duralast parts which typically work 60% of the time, every time.

The last time I replaced my belt was in May of 2008, and i have since put 125k miles on the belt. I got bored today, and had a spare belt in the garaged so I decided to change it. Upon removal I was thoroughly impressed as there were no signs of cracking, stretching, tearing, or harsh wear. I was sure that I could have put another 100k on it. The duralast tensioner pulley was in great shape too.

The only thing that sucked, was that in May of 2008 the tensioner pulley was $13.99, and today it was $57.99. So far these were the only duralast parts that have actually lasted.

Anyhow here is an exciting pic. Highfive.

[speedy25]

A lot has changed in the last three years with quality.

-SP

[Dirty Dude]

Yeah, it has. About six weeks ago my father got a Duralast replacement starter. He had them test the new one to make sure it worked and it didn't. Neither did the one after that. The third one did, so that's what came home.

Do the Duralast belts have any indication of who they are made by? The site leads me to believe that it's Dayco, which isn't a bad brand IMO.

[pdq]

About six weeks ago my father got a Duralast replacement starter. He had them test the new one to make sure it worked and it didn't. Neither did the one after that. The third one did, so that's what came home.

Keep in mind, there's a huge difference between remanufactured parts, and new parts. Remanufactured starters and CV axles have terrible quality control -- very often the warehouse opens them up, does a spot check and basic cleaning/greasing, and puts them back up in a new box.

IMO, remanufactured starters must have their copper contacts replaced (which rarely happens), and CV joints need brand new boots, may need the balls or cage replaced, and they should be rebalanced on a lathe.

[Dirty Dude]

Originally Posted by pdq

Keep in mind, there's a huge difference between remanufactured parts, and new parts.

That is true, but it also speaks to the low standard of quality that AZ deems acceptable for their Duralast brand. I have Duralast pads on my truck right now and won't be buying them again.

Like Suprawillis said, the belt and tensioner are the only Duralast parts they have had last, probably due to being sourced from Dayco.

[Zembonez]

The only really bad thing about the "Duralast" brand is that it's not actually a brand at all - just a bunch of random parts from random sources that Autozone has boxed in their private brand boxes.

No way of knowing if it came from somebody decent or not. I know their ceramic pads come from Wagner. They even still have the Wagner part number stamped on the pads. You have to be careful what you buy there.