1998 Corolla Engine Belts And Brake Noises... - Toyota Corolla, Chevy Prizm (1998-2008)

Hello,

I have a few questions regarding the various belts in the engine (I have a 1998 Corolla VE):

1. When I took my car in for a 60,000 mile maintenance, the dealer mechanic said that my "engine drive belt" was cracked and needs replacement - is this just another name for the timing belt?

2. What is the recommended time for replacing the timing belt? (and the engine drive belt, if it is different from the timing belt?) 60,000 miles? 90,000 miles?

3. When I start the car in the morning, I often hear some clinking noises from under the car when I step on the brake - it sounds like something (connecting rods?) is loose or flexing. However, this noise only appears the first time I step on the brakes after I start my drive - for the rest of the drive, there's no noise when I apply the brakes. Does anyone have any idea what could be causing this noise? Could this be something weather- or temperature related?

Your insights would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Andy

the brake noise is natural, it sticks from sitting overnight and causes no harm.

Im getting a new drive belt tomorrow at the dealer for [$75part+labor]. its cracked and would last longer but would start to slip causing loss of performance and squeak also. change them every 60k if they even last that long. the engine heat cracks them bad and there's nothing you can do about it. adding any spray trying to protect against cracking would cause belt slipage.

the timing belt is recommended to be changed every 60k miles though I dont know if it would last longer. I'd like to know if someone can tell us if they last over 120k miles or not.

my dealer is offering a discount right now for timing belt replacement at $199.

Ross_t

98 on have a timing chain. I assume they mean the serpantine accessory belt. I changed mine at 80k, but it was cracking badly. It's a 5 - 10 minute job and the new belt costs ~$35.