What causes timing belt tooth jumping?
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- Issue Time
- Feb 3,2026
Insufficient Tension: The most common cause. Low tension allows the belt to ride out of the pulley grooves under load.
Excessive Load/Shock Loads: Operating beyond the belt's designed power capacity or sudden impact loads can force teeth to skip.
Worn or Damaged Pulleys: Pulleys with worn, chipped, or deformed teeth cannot provide proper engagement.
Mismatched Belt/Pulley: Using a belt with an incorrect pitch or profile for the pulley.
Loss of Tensile Member Integrity: Internal cord damage from excessive heat, contamination, or fatigue reduces belt stiffness, leading to poor tooth engagement.
Severe Misalignment: Angular or parallel misalignment can cause the belt to enter the pulley at an incorrect angle, promoting jump-out.