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How to Remove Belts on a 2002 Maxima

The Nissan Maxima is a full-size car marketed as a "four-door sports car." The 2002 Maxima has two main drive belts. One belt controls the alternator and the power steering pump. The other belt controls the air conditioner compressor. When the engine is running, the crankshaft pulley drives the belts around various pulleys. Replacing the belts is relatively easy if you pay attention to how the belts are routed around the pulleys. Belts should be replaced if they show any signs of wear or damage.

Instructions

Removal

1

Open the hood and locate the belt routing diagram on the top of the plastic fan shroud. This diagram outlines the exact routing of each belt around each pulley it is associated with. If the belt routing diagram is faded or missing, make a drawing of the exact routing of the belts.

2

Remove the plastic cover from under the front of the car. You will need a ratchet and a socket to remove the screws. You may also need a flathead screwdriver to pry down on the corners of the cover.

3

Stand in front of the engine and locate the alternator. It is on the left side of the engine. Between the alternator and crankshaft pulley is a belt tension adjustment idler pulley. With a ratchet and socket, loosen the bolt to the bracket located in the middle of this pulley. Do not remove the bolt.

4

Use a ratchet and socket to turn the pulley adjustment bolt at the end of the idler pulley counter-clockwise and loosen the idler pulley until the v-belt is loose enough to slide off the alternator pulley and power steering pump pulley. Remove the belt.

5

Locate the air conditioner pump. Between the air conditioner pump and crankshaft pulley is a second belt tension adjustment idler pulley. Loosen this idler pulley the same way by loosening the center bracket bolt and then turning the adjustment bolt until the belt is loose enough to slide off the crankshaft and air conditioner pump pulleys. Remove the belt.

Installation

6

Compare the old belt to the new belt to make sure the new belt is the proper size. Put the air conditioner belt on the air conditioner pump pulley as shown on the belt routing diagram. You must install this belt first. Route the belt around the air conditioner pump pulley, idler pulley and crank shaft pulley. You may have to crawl under the car to slide the belt on the bottom of the crankshaft pulley. Use a ratchet and socket to turn the bracket adjustment bolt in the center of the idler pulley to tighten the belt.

Use a torque wrench to tighten the bolt in the middle of the idler pulley. The recommended torque is 24 to 28 ft.-lbs.

7

Route the alternator/power steering belt around the alternator pulley, power steering pulley, crankshaft pulley and idler pulley as shown in the routing diagram. You may have to crawl under the car to slide the belt on the bottom of the crankshaft pulley. Use a ratchet and socket to turn the bracket adjustment bolt in the center of the idler pulley to tighten the belt.

Use a torque wrench to tighten the bolt in the middle of the idler pulley. The recommended torque is 24 to 28 ft.-lbs.

8

Inspect both belts to make sure they are seated in the pulleys and at the proper tension. You should be able to push down on the belt with your finger 1/8- to 1/4-inch if the distance between two pulleys is less than 12 inches. If the distance is more than 12 inches, the belt should deflect 1/8- to 3/9-inch.

9

Crank the engine to turn the crankshaft pulley and make sure the belts are fully seated in the pulleys.

10

Reinstall the bottom plastic cover under the engine and close the hood.