How to Replace Belts on a Nissan Altima

Taking care of a vehicle requires very specialized knowledge for larger parts like the engine internals and transmission. Very few car owners have this specific knowledge. However, some things can be taken care of by an owner with very little knowledge or expertise, like checking the fluids and keeping the fuel system clean. Other tasks such as replacement or repair of belts and hoses also require little to no expertise. While procedures are similar for all cars, certain cars like the Nissan Altima have very specific procedures for maintenance tasks like belt replacement.
Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
Long-handled ratchet
15-mm socket
New belt
1

Locate the belt routing diagram in the engine compartment of the vehicle. The Altima's diagram is normally located on the passenger side of the engine back by the firewall.
2

Locate the belt tensioner pulley. This pulley is located below the water pump pulley on the front (passenger side) of the engine. When looking down the front of the engine, it is located in the middle.
3

Attach the socket and ratchet to the nut in the middle of the tensioner pulley. Make sure the ratchet handle is located in an area where it can be pulled toward the front of the vehicle. Make sure the ratchet is set to tighten.
4

Pull the ratchet handle toward the front of the vehicle. The belt will loosen around the alternator.
5

Slip the belt off the alternator.
6

Slowly let the ratchet handle release toward the back of the vehicle. Do not let go of the ratchet.
7

Remove the old belt from all the pulleys.
8

Loop the new belt around the bottom of both the bottom pulleys. These are the crank shaft and A/C pulleys. If the vehicle does not have A/C, then just loop the belt around the single bottom pulley.
9

Loop the left side of the belt around the tensioner pulley from bottom to top, counterclockwise. Hold the right side of the belt without moving. It may be necessary to allow the belt to slide to go around the pulleys.
10

Loop the left side of the belt around the power steering pulley from bottom to top, clockwise.
11

Loop the left side of the belt around the water pump pulley from bottom to top, clockwise. At this point the belt should be too short to go around the alternator.
12

Hold the belt with one hand, and pull the ratchet handle toward the front of the vehicle until the belt can be looped over the alternator pulley.
13

Slowly release the ratchet toward the back of the vehicle. It will not go as far back with the belt on the vehicle.
14

Remove the ratchet and socket.
15

Check the belt to make sure it is properly aligned on all the pulleys. Proper alignment means the belt is centered in the ribs of the pulleys with no part of the belt off the pulleys.

Tips & Warnings

Face the front of the engine while doing this to make the left and right directions easier to follow.

Make sure the belt is properly aligned on all the pulleys before starting the vehicle.