PAID: Timing chain kit market offers growing business opportunity for jobbers

Dayco offers a full line of timing chain kits, with 128 part numbers available now, and more coming Fall 2025.

The timing chain kit market reached more than $10B in 2023, and there is no quieting it down. Research suggests it will expand another $5B by 2031, which is staggering compared to other aftermarket parts categories. Experts say this growth is being driven by a demand for engine advancements. Over the last several years, OEMs began utilizing timing chains instead of belts mostly due to their durability and need for less intervention. In addition, consumers are keeping vehicles longer and becoming more aware of the importance of preventative maintenance.

To keep pace with these trends, Dayco continues to make considerable investments in its timing chain kit offering. “We are regularly expanding our line of precision-engineered aftermarket kits and have coverage for almost 200 million vehicles on the road,” said Jerry Reeves, head of product management at Dayco, who added that the company is launching 60 part numbers this year alone. Eight have already hit shelves and 28 have completed engineering validation and are in production.

“As more vehicles hit the sweet spot of needing timing chain repair, there is a great opportunity in the aftermarket for stocking timing chain kits, since they have all the components needed for a proper and thorough repair,” Reeves explains. “We highly encourage distributors and jobbers to suggest inspection and preventative maintenance practices to their shop customers as well.”  

Dayco’s head of product management Jerry Reeves inspects components before carrying out a timing chain kit replacement on a Stellantis/RAM V6 3.6L engine. Watch the video here.

Why Dayco Kits are Different

Dayco’s line of premium timing chain kits cover all high-volume light-duty engine applications and include all the necessary components for a thorough and complete repair, such as:  

• High quality timing and secondary chains that prevent stretch for the life of the kit – and address the no. 1 replacement issue
• Precision machined cam and crank sprockets for quiet, noise free performance
• Direct fit OE quality, high-grade plastic guides, as well as VVT solenoids and cam phasers when the application calls for it
• Packaging that features a QR code that links directly to detailed installation instructions

The benefit of using a kit is that all the necessary components are included in one part number, which helps simplify the ordering and stocking process for jobbers.

Powered by the Best Parts & Labour Warranty

One of the benefits of switching to Dayco’s new line of kits is that the company is backing its entire timing chain kit product line with an industry-leading two year or 100,000 kilometer parts and labor warranty, whichever occurs first, giving technicians confidence in what they’re installing. No other aftermarket company is offering this extensive of a parts and labour money-back guarantee. Complete warranty details can be found here.  

Dayco offers a library of technical timing chain kit training videos to help simplify the process.

Training Support

Since entering the N.A. timing chain kit market in 2022, Dayco has been ensuring technicians have the latest in installation information with a comprehensive library of training videos. Their N.A. website now houses 10 videos, with more coming, that provide step-by-step installation instructions and troubleshooting tips for some of the most popular vehicle engines.

Reeves says Dayco will continue to build out their bank of training videos to help ensure the installation process goes smoothly for technicians tackling these jobs. They understand that many timing chain repairs are complicated and can take 15-20 hours or more to complete.

For more information on Dayco’s timing chain kits, click here.