Questions and Answers

Nissan Pathfinder Alternator Belt Q. Dear Mr. Ciulla, I have a 1996 Nissan Pathfinder 3.3 liter V-6. I am trying to replace the alternator, and A/C belts. I have succeeded in removing the old belts and routing the new belts and I can even tension the A/C belt, using the L-shaped bolt parts on the idler pulley. I can't seem to do this on the alternator belt.

In this case the L-shaped bolt assembly has a flange on the bolt that prevents it from sliding up and down very much in its slot. So I can't get enough relief to get the idler pulley on and started to then tighten down. Is the bolt supposed to slide back off of the sort of neck piece that holds it? It looks like it maybe should but in my case it won't clear it.

Aaron
Gilbert, AZ

A. I'm trying to visualize what the alternator idler pulley looks like. As far as I can remember the pulley bolt should go up and down the whole length of the slot. The long adjusting bolt has an "E" clip on it, gust the other side of the pulley bracket, that forces you to actually turn the adjusting bolt to gain enough clearance to slide the belt on.

In short, with the A/C idler pulley you can loosen the lock not and slide it all the way up and down. Not so with the alternator idler pulley.

I would also double check the belt and make sure it is correct. Matching it up to the old one will tell you if it is too short.