Hi.
I have a '98 LS400 with 235,000 miles. It's on the second timing belt and I'm going to have my mechanic replace it. Any recomendations on the brand of belt? I was told to only get one from the Lexus dealer. Are the after market belts not any good?

 

Timing belt kit


https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...=16088&jsn=395

If you're only replacing the belt walk into any Toyota dealer and ask for 13568-09070

 

Please don't replace just the belt, always use the full kit and do all of the associated things. Those are really important too.

 

Yes I will be getting the kit.

 

I would get the Aisin kit from Rock Auto.

The kit from Amazon is probably legit but there are a lot of other known counterfeit parts (spark plugs, for example) being sold on Amazon. These parts may work but they don't last very long. Granted, it doesn't make much sense to counterfeit more expensive parts but one never knows.

 

Thank you guys. I'll get the aisin kit tkt021. Amazon has that same kit. Dollar cheaper with free shipping.

 

I Used that kit on my 1998 6 years ago. Also the slightly different kit for my 1995 8 years ago.
Another strong recommendation I would like to add. The serpentine belt can be taken off and put back on in 5 minutes.
It is very smart to have the mechanic remove the belt and to spin the bearings on all related moving parts. generator, AC compresssor freewheel bearing , steering pump, tensioner, idler, Fan bearings. Will reveal if you need to order a few more parts.
On my LS400 with only about 100K miles on them but many! years. The bearings on the tensioner and the idler needed replacing. ( made hissing dry sound when spun by hand and grease looked like old black chunky cheese when I opened it up) .
Not an expensive fix IF you do the added same time as belt. I changed bearings for good known brand type myself in my 1995 for 5$ each. Most would buy whole assemby for say 100$ total but I would worry a bit about inferior bearing grades then.
In The 1998: same problem but I did buy third party whole assemblies then since One of the bearings was a rare twin row type and I got lazy...

 

Thanks. Good to know. I'll have him check all those parts.