96 I30 Belt Issue which led to a PS Issue.

[OdeToBob]

Hi Guys,
First off, thanks for all the great info you guys provide. I became a member of this group a couple of years ago when I owned a 94 Maxima...I now own a 96 I30t so you guys are still my go-to spot for tech help.

I noticed a squeal coming from what I thought was a belt. I pulled over and checked the belts and they seemed tight and running true. I figured maybe I'd take the belts off and check them more thoroughly when I got home. I got the larger belt (A/C Alternator) off with ease. The power steering belt has proven more frustrating. According to everything I've read/seen/talked to the guy at Autozone about, there are two bolts...one (12mm bolt near the top of the PS pump with the head facing the passenger side of the car) to release the PS pump for tensioning and one (12mm Bolt at the bottom of a long screw, with the head of the bolt facing the ground) for actually changing the tension.

I loosened the top bolt and started in on the bottom one. With the first click or two of the ratchet wrench (clockwise), it seemed like the belt was getting looser. Then with a few more clicks the belt tightened back up. I kept turning and it got a little loose...and then tight again. Never close to loose enough to get the belt over the pulley.

I'm only halfway sure what the mechanics behind the tensioner bracket are. But this seems wrong.

Also. While poking around under the car, there seems to be a good sized PS Fluid leak. and the squeal does seem to be coming from the PS Pump. I guess the larger question here is, How do I troubleshoot the power steering system? But this belt thing has me completely confused.


Thanks in advance for all you help.
_Bob


1996 I30t V6 3.0L 250k+ miles.

[mr0x]

The belt stuff is on MA-10 in the manual.

Here's the maxima link to the page but i30 also has it on the same page.
http://www.greghome.com/images/Maxima%2 ... eBelts.jpg

I think for power steering fluid leakage, check ST-5. Probably a hose is leaking and spraying stuff over the belt and causing it to slip and squeak. But, that's just a wild wild guess LOL.