How to Replace a Belt in a 2002 Nissan Maxima

By Grace Mclain, eHow Contributor



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The belt replacing process on the 2002 Nissan Maxima is different than changing the belt on other Nissan Maxima model years. The 2002 Nissan Maxima has two main accessory belts. One of the belts controls the alternator and the power steering pump, and the other belt controls the air conditioner compressor. The belt removal process is easy once you see how the belts are routed onto the pulleys. You can replace both of these belts in about 45 minutes.
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
Flathead Screwdriver
Ratchet
Socket set
Pen
Notepad
New belt
Torque wrench

1

Remove the plastic covering under the front side of the engine to access the bottom pulleys. This can be done with a flat head screwdriver, a ratchet and a socket.
2

Pop the hood and locate the belt routing diagram on the top of the fan shroud. The 2002 Nissan Maxima has two belts. One of these belts will have to be removed before the other belt. If there is no belt routing diagram on the fan shroud, take a pen and notepad and write down the exact belt routing diagram for both belts.
3

Locate the alternator on the left side of the engine. Under the alternator will be a belt tension adjustment bracket with a bolt running through it that is connected to the idler pulley for the alternator and power steering belt. Loosen the bolt head (do not remove it) in the middle of this idler pulley with a ratchet and socket.
4

Put the ratchet on the adjustable bolt at the end of the adjustment bracket and loosen the idler pulley by turning the bolt counter-clockwise. Loosen the idler pulley until you are able to slide the belt off of the alternator pulley and the power steering pump pulley. Remove the belt and set the belt to the side.
5

Locate the idler pulley for the air conditioner pump. This idler pulley is located between the air conditioner pump and crankshaft pulley. Loosen this idler pulley the same way by loosening the center bolt and unscrewing the main adjustment bolt at the end of the idler pulley until the belt loosens enough to slide off the air conditioner pump and crankshaft. Remove the belt and set it to the side.
6

Put the air conditioner belt on the air conditioner pump pulley first as shown on your belt routing diagram. The back belt routes around the air conditioner pump pulley, idler pulley and crank shaft pulley. Then put the ratchet back on the adjustment bolt and tighten the air conditioner belt back down. The recommended air conditioner belt tension on a 2002 Nissan Maxima is 22 foot-lb.
7

Once the air conditioner belt is at the proper tension, tighten down the bolt in the middle of the idler pulley. Recommended torque on this bolt head is 24 to 28 foot-lb. Note that you may have to reach under the car to put the belt on the bottom of the crankshaft pulley.
8

Put the alternator/power steering belt by routing the belt across the alternator pulley, power steering pulley, crankshaft pulley and idler pulley, then tighten the belt through the adjustment bolt attached to the idler pulley. The recommended belt tension for this belt is also 22 foot-lbs. Also tighten the bolt in the center of the idler pulley.
9

Inspect to make sure that both belts are properly seated into the pulleys and properly tensioned. You may also have to put the belt on the bottom of the crankshaft pulley from underneath the front of the car.
10

Crank the engine and inspect the belts to make sure that the belts are still seated in the pulleys. Reinstall the bottom plastic cover and close the hood.

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Tips & Warnings

The belt tensioner tool for both belts on the 2002 Nissan Maxima is a BT3373-F Belt tensioner tool.

You may be able to route the belts around the bottom of the crankshaft pulleys without having to remove the bottom plastic cover.

Keep in mind the air conditioner belt must to go on first because it rides on the back side of the crankshaft pulley.

Make sure that the keys are out of the ignition before working on the engine in case of accidentally cranking.

Follow the belt routing diagram when putting the belts back on. A wrongly routed belt can cause a component to run backwards, which can cause significant damage to the engine.