Great price on timing belts?

[Corkster52]

I just ordered and received 2 of these from Amazon. Price is lower than I ever recall seeing it.

https://www.amazon.com/Gates-T275-Timin ... ive&sr=1-1

[NOVAwing]

I just ordered and received 2 of these from Amazon. Price is lower than I ever recall seeing it.

https://www.amazon.com/Gates-T275-Timin ... ive&sr=1-1

Can't beat that.

That is about what I paid from last year.

Beats anywhere else, good choice.

[CrystalPistol]

Been maybe 4 years or so ago, but I paid almost that for same belts from Amazon then.

[DenverWinger]

Local auto parts stores want around $40 each, so I order from Amazon instead.

[Corkster52]

When I had looked months earlier I think they were around $35. When I was pricing out having them installed by bike shops they would only install Honda brand belts at approximately $75 each. One of the shops said it was a "reliability issue". I have worked with many Gates belts in industry for over 40 years and, other than when I didn't make sure the match marks on the V-belts were the same, have never had a problem with them.

[DenverWinger]

OEM Honda belts are made by Gates anyway, just rebranded "Honda".

[bellboy40]

I bought a pair there 2 years ago and they were 16.95 each at that time. That was the cheapest place I found for the Gates belts but it is even better now.

[WingAdmin]

When I had looked months earlier I think they were around $35. When I was pricing out having them installed by bike shops they would only install Honda brand belts at approximately $75 each. One of the shops said it was a "reliability issue". I have worked with many Gates belts in industry for over 40 years and, other than when I didn't make sure the match marks on the V-belts were the same, have never had a problem with them.

The funny thing is...guess who makes the Honda belts? It's not Honda: it's Gates! It's the same belt, just with a Honda part number stamped on it (along with a bigger price tag)!

[DonnyBrook]

I just replaced mine last week - $15 each from (of all places) WalMart.
Ordered them on-line on Friday and picked them up Monday.

[Mh434]

A word to the wise - if possible, check the manufacturing date on timing belts before you buy.

I had a Porsche 944, and had to replace the belt - NOT a simple procedure on the 944. It requires an over $1,000 tool to set the tension.

I spoke to Gates about the belt, and they cautioned me to check the manufacturing date on the belt's packaging. They advised that belts brake down in the presence of oxygen, and to check that I got a belt less than 2 years old to ensure it wouldn't fail. Of course, on that engine, repairs run around $8,000 if the belt fails, so it was critical. Sure enough, the first two I looked at were over 8 years old!

Nonetheless, it's still worth checking if you can.

I suspect that buying them through Amazon is probably pretty safe, as I'm sure the turnover is pretty high, so belts should be fresh.