Elless400

Simple enough, what brand tensioner and idler have you fine people had good luck with?

The OEM tensioner and idler is pretty expensive compared to a lot of the aftermarket stuff (not complaining, they last a LONG time), and the parts aren't incredibly critical or difficult the replace, so I'd be willing to go aftermarket, but not if it means buying junk.

So, yeah, what are you guys using?

Thanks!

YODAONE

Stay with OEM for these components...as you say they last a long time...and when they start to fail give you some warning signs instead of catastrophic failure as with aftermarket stuff.

Losiracer2

I used the one in my Aisin timing belt kit. Many of the bearings were KOYO or NSK, high quality OE components.

Scraape

i think the OEM part is Koyo, but maybe i'm wrong. These are the ones I ended up using for my 90k maintenance. The old ones lasted ~166k miles.
2. Idler #1 Roller Tensioner Koyo 13505-0F010
3. Idler #2 Bearing Koyo 13503-0F010

Elless400

Thanks for the replies, I was actually referring to just the regular drive "V" belt idler and tensioner. Far less critical. Otherwise, yeah, OEM period.

bradland

I've read Dayco is the OEM manufacturer for the tensioner. Not positive on that but I put one on my LS400 a couple months ago when I replaced the PS pump.
The idler pulley isn't terribly expensive, Take the Lexus part number to your car to a Toyota dealer as they most likely carry it and save a few dollars. The idler pulley can be changed out in a matter of minutes but the tensioner is a bit more labor intensive...

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

I used this idler since it has the correct inner sleeve like the OEM idler
I forget where i got the tensioner from either Amazon or Ebay but it is an updated design. You could remove the pulley from the original tensioner but on the new Toyota tensioner you can't remove the pulley.

YODAONE

What Country of manufacture appears on the Dayco brand tensioner box??

Elless400

Good question, Yoda.

I just went Gates on both. We'll see how long they last!

​​​​And, I was a tard when I started this thread. I accidentally compared the entire OEM tensioner assembly with the pulley to aftermarket tensioner pulleys (pulley only). That why I concluded that there was a large price gulf between OEM and aftermarket pulleys.

It's not really the case, so OEM is probably the best choice. Either way, the Gates are already ordered and I'll just give the brand a test run.

​​​​​​I must be tired this week.

bradland

I installed it in late Jan. Didn't save the box but I found this pic online...
Fine print bottom left of the sticker reads Made in USA
.

Elless400

Update-A mere 2 months later and the Gates tensioner pulley is trash. GO OEM. YODAONE laid down solid advise. Now I know.

Enjoy the crickets, aka Gates pulley (verified with mechanic's stethoscope after capturing video).

dashan

I used Dayoco 89055 in my 96 LS400. It is still good 4 years later.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...996-ls400.html