How to Put a Power Steering Belt on a '95 Maxima

The power steering belt on the 1995 Nissan Maxima operates the power steering pump. Driven around the idler pulley and the power steering pump pulley by the crankshaft pulley, adjust the tension on the power-steering pump belt by making corrections to the adjustable idler pulley. Over time, the power steering belt will crack or tear. Regularly inspect all the belts in your 1995 Nissan Maxima when completing other maintenance and change the belt before cracks or tears become excessive.

Instructions

1

Park the 1995 Nissan Maxima and shut the motor off. Set the parking brake and open the hood. Raise the hood and allow the motor to cool for at least an hour before working inside the engine compartment. Disconnect the negative battery cable from the negative battery post on the battery with an adjustable wrench. Push the battery cable out of the way, so that it does not touch the battery post.

2

Shine a flashlight onto the power steering pump. The power steering pump is directly above the alternator. Find the adjustable idler pulley directly to the right-hand side of the power steering pump. The adjustable idler pulley consists of a roller pulley around which the belt travels. The roller pulley secures to the idler by a single bolt. The adjustable idler pulley also has an adjustable bolt sticking out of the top of the pulley.

3

Loosen the single bolt in the middle of the idler pulley with a ratchet and socket just loose enough so that the pulley can move as it is being adjusted. Turn the adjustable bolt at the top of the idler pulley counterclockwise to loosen the tension from the belt. Once the belt is loose enough, slide it out from under the idler pulley and out of the power steering shaft pulley and the crankshaft pulley.

4

Pull the power steering belt out of the engine compartment and lay it next to the new belt to ensure they match. Lower the new belt inside of the engine compartment and route the new belt around the big crankshaft pulley on the bottom of the engine first. Route the belt around the power steering pump pulley next and then around the idler pulley. Inspect the belt to ensure that it seats inside of all three pulleys.

5

Tighten the adjustable bolt at the top of the idler pulley clockwise to tighten the belt. Once the belt is tight, check the tension of the belt by pushing inward on the belt with your hand. If the belt has more than a 1/2 inch of slack in it, continue tightening the belt until there is no more than a 1/2 inch of slack in the belt. Once the belt is properly tensioned, retighten the lock bolt in the middle of the idler pulley with the ratchet and socket until it is tight.

6

Reconnect the negative battery cable to the negative battery post and tighten the battery cable with the adjustable wrench. Crank the engine and watch the new belt as it is traveling around the three pulleys with the engine running to ensure that the belt stays seated inside of each pulley. Turn the engine off and close the hood.