Not OEM quality. Idlers are made in China.
Coencentric87109 8 months ago
I had purchased this kit expecting OEM quality from Gates. The kit seemed great until I started to look at the details. On the box front, a label says the parts origin. Most of them were supposed to be manufactured in Japan with one part made in South Korea. When I actually looked at the the parts that was a different story. The only part that was of Japanese origin was the tensioner idler made by NSK in Japan. The rest of the idler bears were made in China by a TAIDE, a manufacturer that I have never heard of. I put alot of money in my car and will not have engine failure by an key inferior part failing. By the time I had discovered this it was past my 30 return window and RS would not let me return this kit.

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Never get a dealer's belt again.
guest55c52b7bcaae52790b8b779e 5 years ago
The dealer quoted me for a job over $1000 for the Subaru timing belt. I decided to go with the fortified Gates belt due to my heavy mods and the job including labor and this kit at the same dealership ran $600. The belt has held up perfectly so far and they said the fitment was perfect. This kit does not say it will fit a 2004 WRX on the box, but it will, fear not. RSD was happy to confirm that this kit would work for me, thanks guys!

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Awesome timing belt kit
STIgoalie31 5 years ago
I did this install about a month ago on my 05 STI, also replacing the oil pump, water pump, and other parts. Getting to the belt is no big deal, having the radiator out is helpful and gives you a bunch of room. The new belt will be very tight to get on so be sure you have a second set of hands to help, or do the drivers side first then work over to the passengers side since the passenger side cams spin freely. A hint to help if you do this install alone (IM NOT RESPONSIBLE IF YOU MESS YOUR CAR UP, JUST GIVING SOME HANDY ADVICE): *Get a couple quick clamp vise grips from your favorite orange or blue themed store (price was better for me at the orange store), but the 6 clamps (i think it was this size), really help to hold the belt in different places as you work the belt on to the cams while lining up the marks. Its really handy as well to use one clamp to hold the drivers side cams. Take the little yellow rubber pieces off and then use the clamps to LIGHTLY clamp the teeth between the two cams. The size of the clamps won't allow the cams to turn either way, and will help you when it comes to the new belt install since you won't have to try and turn the cams to get the timing marks to line up. You don't have to squeeze the crap out of the clamps, their size works in your favor to stop the cams turning either way* **Also, if you even lightly bump your power steering line(s), be sure to check you don't have air getting in the system, new worm clamps are handy to fix that** The pulleys were very good construction, and rolled smooth once bolted to the block. One of my old pulleys' bearings were way gone, and actually were very loud when driving, but these pulleys will last another 100K. Be sure to pick up a new timing belt guide, RSD will gladly help with this :-) easiest way to gauge the distance from the guide to the cam or pulley is to lay a average zip tie flat on the pulley and push the timing guide down on it, and tighten the bolts on the guide. Then gently pull the zip tie and voila, guide is spaced without really needing to check with calipers. The scariest thought is when your car is all put back together, and you turn the key to on, and realize if you messed up, you're about to be out a couple grand, but follow the SOA service manuals and DIY's from other subaru sites, and you'll be good when the car turns over and sounds just like it did before you started. Next mod they need to make is clear timing belt covers so you can see this sweet blue belt in action!

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Tough belt
edap7974667 5 years ago
This thing just looks mean, came with all the items needed and they depressed the tension pully with lock ring to make things real easy. once installed just pull the pin and there ya go. Done....best prices thanks RSD

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Great quality at a reasonable price..
azerathis 6 years ago
put this on my 2004 wrx. Took a few hours but would recommend using cam holder like the other review suggested. Also want to give props to the customer service who went above and beyond to make sure I had what I needed and was happy with my orders.

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