There are many moving parts at work in your SUV, truck, car, or van. Most rely on belts, which means they also rely on pulleys and brackets to keep those belts in place and running right.

What Belts Do

Your vehicle has three types of belts, not counting the seatbelts inside your cabin. The timing belt is a notched belt that coordinates the crankshaft and camshaft to keep the valves and pistons opening and closing in sync.

Serpentine belts run off of the idler pulley, crank pulley, and tensioner to operate parts like the alternator. Then there are drive belts, of which your vehicle boasts many. They run parts such as your water pump.

What Pulleys Do

The majority of pulleys are driven by a crank pulley that's attached to your camshaft. They generally power the belts, though there are some – called tensioners -- that are responsible for making sure that the belts remain tight.

What Brackets Do

Brackets do one thing, but it's an important role. They help to secure and align the belts and pulleys, keeping them in place even when you're driving on uneven roads.

How to Spot Bad Belts, Pulleys, or Brackets

Eventually, even the best parts can go bad. Signs of this include:

• The engine stops running due to a failed timing belt
• You see fraying belt edges
• The belt material is cracked or broken
• Your belts are either too loose or too tight to turn

You can Trust Genuine Mopar® Belts, Pulleys, and Brackets

You should make a regular practice of checking the condition of your belts, brackets, and pulleys. When something needs to be replaced, make sure to get the right part for your vehicle. Your manufacturer designs theirs to fit your model's specifications, so you can trust them to fit right into place and perform as intended. Our online auto parts store has everything you need, in stock and ready to ship. Have questions or need advice? Contact us and speak with one of our parts experts. We're happy to help you complete your project!