Mickdady

For those of you who have already replaced your timing belt, did you replace both upper and lower idlers or just the upper? I plan on doing the t-stat and waterpump also.

MTL_4runner

I didn't replace either.

Mickdady

Jamie,

How did the Idler's look? I really only want to do this once so that is why I am thinking of replacing all pieces. I have added it up and it is about $300 for everything including waterpump, t-stat, and upper/lower rad hoses. I also need to buy the tensioner tool.

Thanks

MTL_4runner

Mine weren't bad but you need to spin them and feel how bad the bearings are.
I just did the timing belt when I did mine but I felt everything was in good shape from before.
If you have the money.....you can go ahead and replace it all.

ACPlayer

I am doing mine this weekend and I have talked to the parts guy at the local Toyota dealer and he says they typically just check them to make sure the bearings are still good, but generally don't replace them. I also asked one of the guys at URD and he said they usually last "a very long time." Also, if you haven't bought a water pump yet, try www.1sttoyotaparts.com. I got an OEM for $90 plus shipping, not bad, you can get a knockoff brand on ebay for $45, but why take the chance when you can get a genuine factory one. Just my $.02.

Mickdady

Yeah I have priced everything out at 1sttoy I have actually purchased quite a few things from them. Since they are local the shipping is pretty fast.

I am still undecided if I will change the idlers or not. I probably will though

ACPlayer

Good luck. I am anticipating around 3 or 4 hours to get the job done. I'll let you know if I run into any problems. Also, I did buy the Snap On tool, Timing Belt Tensioner Compressor. I think I paid $56 including shipping. I got it directly from Snap On. It's Part #YA9730. It took about a week to get it.

MTL_4runner

I'd say 3-4 hours if you have no lift but do have air tools and know what you are doing.
....add at least another 0.5-1 hr for the water pump.

For most it is an all day thing with hand tools and replacing all the mentioned parts.

lv4runner

I only replaced the belt. Everything still looked really good, including the timing belt. In fact I was doubting whether I should have even replaced it in the first place.

I did it with out that snapon tool you ordered. You can just unbolt the tensioner and use a vise to compress it back together before you put it back in. Would have been easier with that tool though.

I had a really hard time getting the crankshaft pulley off. First losening the bolt required a tool we fabbed up. Then actually pulling the pulley off took a while too. I had to try two different pulley pullers since the radiator was getting in the way and I was being stuborn and didn't want to take the radiator out. I know there are special tools for this, but I fugured I could do it without them and looking back, I sure wish I would have had them.

Good luck. Hate to admit it, but it took me a couple nights after work to get it done.

ACPlayer

FYI, the upper and lower idlers are $140 on 1sttoyotaparts.com, plus S and H.