Serpentine Belt Life Expectancy (2025)

On a 5.7 hemi and 114k miles, with a 7 year old factory serp belt, Im interested to know how far others have gone before replacing this belt.

I know it's good to periodically check for wear etc.

I get nervous after 3 years on those belts. I'm probably overly cautious but I think it's cheap insurance.

Plus they're easy to change out.

My 11 before it was sold in 2022 still had the original belt.

My 14 has a different belt due to engine mods

My 16 original belt.

Why fix it if it's not broken

Bigskyroadglide said:

My 11 before it was sold in 2022 still had the original belt.

My 14 has a different belt due to engine mods

My 16 original belt.

Why fix it if it's not broken

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Unfortunately, stuff doesn't usually break at a convenient time. That's been my experience anyway.

NETim said:

stuff doesn't usually break at a convenient time.

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^^^° exactly
If all one does is drive locally usually within about a half hour from their house it's probably not as big a deal as traveling for hours where you don't know where the next place is that will have the part. Some people live an hours drive from town with little to no phone coverage, that's a long walk if the vehicle breaks down

NETim said:

I get nervous after 3 years on those belts. I'm probably overly cautious but I think it's cheap insurance.

Plus they're easy to change out.

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Yup...why wait til it fails. Even if you carry a spare...so much fun changing it out on the side of the road...lol!

crash68 said:

^^^° exactly
If all one does is drive locally usually within about a half hour from their house it's probably not as big a deal as traveling for hours where you don't know where the next place is that will have the part. Some people live an hours drive from town with little to no phone coverage, that's a long walk if the vehicle breaks down

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My rig makes a 14 hour trip to Canada once or twice a year through the Dakotas. There's a lot of empty space up there.

Just go ahead and replace it... I recommend a Continental-branded belt... The one on my truck is "Made in UK."

Keep the old one for a spare unless it's toast!

MontanaHandyman said:

Yup...why wait til it fails. Even if you carry a spare...so much fun changing it out on the side of the road...lol!

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Especially in the freezing cold or hot 100F weather.

huntergreen said:

Especially in the freezing cold or hot 100F weather.

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Just do the v6 efan swap, I'm pretty sure a belt change is about 15 seconds or so.

I did not look up the Serpentine Belt in the Owners Manual

If i recall from previous searches .....

The book mentioned that the belts are made better today, than 10 years ago, you may never see wear marks, until it breaks.

Online everything reads, 50,000 to 100,000 miles
I think Rams 100,000 mile mandated service & inspection, to keep the Warranty or Extended Warranty Valid, mentions the Belt

I would have to think, that there are Ram owners, that drive with the original belt at 150,000 miles, living on a Hope & a Prayer

danielmid said:

This kicked me in to ordering the kit for the truck, I've been putting it off. Belt/idler/tensioner on the way.

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Where did you get the kit from, probably cheaper.

Dodge 1500 4X4 said:

Where did you get the kit from, probably cheaper.

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Rock Auto, it's a Gates kit.

Sounds like many owners might draw the line at 100k miles. Seems reasonable for a $25 rubber belt.

Watching a few videos, some shop techs use a long handle tool (like 18") with one end like the drive end of a 3/8 ratchet.

Anyone know if a regular 9" or so, 3/8 ratchet is long enough to give you the leverage or reach you need, in order to release the belt tension, working just from the topside?

Wmjohn said:

Sounds like many owners might draw the line at 100k miles. Seems reasonable for a $25 rubber belt.

Watching a few videos, some shop techs use a long handle tool (like 18") with one end like the drive end of a 3/8 ratchet.

Anyone know if a regular 9" or so, 3/8 ratchet is long enough to give you the leverage or reach you need, in order to release the belt tension, working just from the topside?

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I used a 3/8" ratchet but put a cheater pipe on it. I couldn't do it otherwise.

Edited: There isn't much room to work in there. The cheater pipe makes it much easier IMHO.