Changing belts in the M

[paulypotz]

Just wondering how simple is it to change the belts in an 06 M35? I would like to take it to the dealer for this but i don't have time. Instead, i'd like to bring it to my local mechanic but I'm a little skeptical because the belt seem a little hard to get to (with all of the plastic covering in the way). Any Input?

[mexillis]

i changed mine and it's not that hard, you can do it yourself if you have the right tools. I think they put all kinda stuff in the way to make things more of a PIA, but once removed it's easy. I have an M45 but im sure it's not too much different in difficulty.

[cruzad3r]

do you use the tensioner tools to check the tension of the belts after changed? or you just eye-balling it?

[M35 Sport]

Does anyone know if it is better to change them from the top or the bottom of the car?

[Noel J]

I did them myself (first time changing belts) and it only took me about 20 minutes.

First lift the car and place on jacks.

Remove the top 3 covers, and the one underneath the car.

Use a 14mm socket to loosen (do not remove) the first tensioner (power steering, alternator, and oil pump belt), and then the second tensioner (A/C compressor belt). There is a diagram below that illustrates all of this.

Go underneath the car and loosen (only enough to get the belt off) the bottom bolts for each of the tensioners with a 12 mm socket. Again see diagram below.

Remove the old belts, and replace with the new belts in reverse order. Remember, smooth pulleys make contact with the smooth side of the belt and vice versa. BE SURE ALL THE BELTS ARE SEATED PROPERLY BEFORE MOVING FORWARD.

Go back underneath the car and tighten the bottom tensioner bolts. BE CAREFUL NOT TO OVER-TIGHTEN THE TENSIONERS AS THIS WILL OVER-TIGHTEN THE BELTS. YOU MAY WEAR OUT BEARINGS BY DOING SO. A good rule of thumb is to be able to push the belt about 0.5 inch with about 5 pounds of force. This is usually reasonable and would fall into proper specifications.

Use a little grease (I used WD-40) to spray onto the top tensioner bolts. BE SURE NOT TO GET ANY GREASE, OR OTHER FLUIDS, ON THE NEW BELTS.

Tighten the top tensioner bolts to 28 ft/lbs.

Double check the tension, diagram, and that all belts are seated properly.

P.S. I recommend Good Year Gatorback belts from AutoZone. They seemed to be of better quality than the dealer's belts and are much quieter. They're about $40 for both.




Modified by Noel J at 10:59 AM 3/12/2010

[olsonbo]

I was going to ask about that.... Does it matter if you use aftermarket belts? I know sometimes the bottom of the barrel aftermarket belts can be loud and I dont want to have to do this twice. With the goodyear belts, how long have you had them on?

[Poyzinous]

belts on the V6 are simple. Roll up two bolts on the pulleys and they slip right off. It can all be done from under the car. The trick is just to make sure you have them at the right tension when tightened. Maybe mark a thread on the pulley bolt as reference. Its also convenient to do it during an oil change. Kill 2 birds with one stone. Factory belt part numbers: 11720-4P102 and 11920-AG900. About $45 or so.

[Noel J]

I was going to ask about that.... Does it matter if you use aftermarket belts? I know sometimes the bottom of the barrel aftermarket belts can be loud and I dont want to have to do this twice. With the goodyear belts, how long have you had them on?

Usually, I would not recommend aftermarket parts but surprisingly the nissan/infiniti belts are somewhat noisy. I've only had the gator back belt on my car for a month, but I've had it on my Armada for quite some time (several months). No problems so far. Gator backs are known to be "the quiet belt".

[cruzad3r]

belts on the V6 are simple. Roll up two bolts on the pulleys and they slip right off. It can all be done from under the car. The trick is just to make sure you have them at the right tension when tightened. Maybe mark a thread on the pulley bolt as reference. Its also convenient to do it during an oil change. Kill 2 birds with one stone. Factory belt part numbers: 11720-4P102 and 11920-AG900. About $45 or so.

man i was looking high and low for those OEM parts numbers so thanks for posting. so after reading all of this, no one really have one of those tensioner meter gauge that you use during the installation. most people just eye-balling it; i guess i'm going to do the same. probably marked the tensioner screw before loosening it or maybe count the number of turns. wish me luck people

[dnguy001]

i just change my belts around 5000 miles ago. Recently it started to squeak so i tighten the tensioner but it still squeak on start up. Does anyone have advice on this?

[Poyzinous]

they are probably still a little loose, especially if they slip when you rev up

[olsonbo]

Changing them on the V8 are even easier!!! Just some turning of some auto tensioners and routing a belt!

But yeah, you do have to take off the under engine cover and the air intake piece on the top of the engine that is in the way. Other than that, simple.

[jedgington]

I just did this last week. I put Gatorbacks on mine. You don't need to take off the bottom cover, or lift the car up on jacks...you can do it all from the top side if you take off the large intake piece at the front-center. There's tons of room in there. I've never changed the belts on mine before, but this only took me about 20 minutes to do.

[M35 Sport]

I'm really thinking about doing this myself. Infiniti wants $175 to do the job. I'm thinking about buy a couple car ramps and gator back belts (all for about $90) and doing it myself.

[YMm45]

yeah i would reccomend doing it your self really not a hard job did this a few months ago i actually knocked out a couple of things in one day did the belts, front brakes, and droped the car took a few hours but saved a ton G/L

[oceancon]

I just did them and did not even need to get under the car. Feel around for the adjustment bolts (b and d in the figure) and put the ratchet on it from standing in the front of the car. Simple fast job.

[M35 Sport]

For the people saying you don't need to go under the car. How do you know how much to tighten the belt tensioners? Are you just using your fingers and pressing on the belt?

[cruzad3r]

i just did this last saturday. i dont think it's worth it to do it on top without taking the under belly pan off. sure there are tons of those 10mm screws around but it will give you a chance to inspect things under your car and make the job easier.

word of advice, do not take the tensioner pulleys off. that is all