Questions and Answers

200SX P/S Belt

Q. Hello, I've been having this problem with my car and I am unable to figure out how to take off my power steering belt.

I have a:

• 1998 Nissan 200SX SE
• VIN engine code- SR20DE 2.0L DOHC
• Automatic
• About 60,000 miles
• Fuel Injection
• Front Wheel Drive
• P/S, A/C, Cruise control

I bought the Auto Repair Manual for my car. It's also the same as a Nissan Sentra. Here's my problem, the book says to loosen the lock nut and then loosen the adjusting bold. When I loosen the lock nut power steering fluid begins to leak out the more I loosen it. It starts to leak when I turn it about 1/4 of a turn and sometimes even less of a turn. Other people have told me that I don't have to loosen that lock nut. They said all that you need to do is loosen the lock nut that holds the adjusting bolt and then loosen the adjusting bolt. Well I did that and the belt tension doesn't get any looser. I've tried taping it with a hammer, giggling the belt, I've also tried to loosen all three at the same time and nothing seems to budge. This is becoming very frustrating.

Please help,
Luke

A. It sounds to me like you're loosening the wrong bolt. It sounds like you are loosening the line fitting bolt. The one you need to loosen is below that one.

That bolt can be difficult to get to since it's buried pretty good. I usually loosen the adjusting bolt, loosen the adjuster a little bit and tap the adjuster down to loosen the belt. I do this a little bit at a time until I can slip the belt off. You do have to be somewhat careful, you don't want to damage the adjuster bolt. If it won't loosen the belt, then you'll need to dig lower to get to the pivot bolt.