J30T alternator belt replacement questions

[Victor]

The alternator belt just broke on my 1994 J30T, luckily I was only two miles from home so was able to drive home just on battery power.Some questions: 1. I assume a J30 and J30T would use the same belts except for maybe the power steering belt because maybe they use different power steering pumps since the J30T has four wheel steering. The auto parts stores ask if I have sport suspension, by that I guess the T suspension.

2. Do I have to remove the fan or can I slip the belts over the fan blades?

3. About how long does it take to do the job the first time without a lift but with ramps? If it is a hard job maybe I will pay to have it done.

4. One thread I read said I had to remove the radiator hoses to do this job, is that really necessary?

5. Do I do the whole job from under the car?

6. Any hints from anyone who has done this?

7. The FSM really isn't much help other than showing the belt adjustment places.

[gr8scott72]

The alternator belt just broke on my 1994 J30T, luckily I was only two miles from home so was able to drive home just on battery power.Some questions: 1. I assume a J30 and J30T would use the same belts except for maybe the power steering belt because maybe they use different power steering pumps since the J30T has four wheel steering. The auto parts stores ask if I have sport suspension, by that I guess the T suspension.

2. Do I have to remove the fan or can I slip the belts over the fan blades?

3. About how long does it take to do the job the first time without a lift but with ramps? If it is a hard job maybe I will pay to have it done.

4. One thread I read said I had to remove the radiator hoses to do this job, is that really necessary?

5. Do I do the whole job from under the car?

6. Any hints from anyone who has done this?

7. The FSM really isn't much help other than showing the belt adjustment places.

First off, if you just replace one, you're going to have to do it again when the next one breaks. Might as well replace all three. Not that much money and then you're done.

I paid someone to put mine on but he was the mechanic that did all the work on the cars from when I worked at a small car lot so he did it dirt cheap.

[GerryO]

I replaced mine when I did my WP and timing belt, and later needed to go back to tighten them up a bit.

I think you'll be able to slip those that you need to over the fan.

I'd go OEM for all three and believe the later model's PS belt is narrower/different.

You can get by accessing things from above and below without ramping or jacking the car, but it's a squeeze and a stretch. No absolute need to remove the radiator hoses, but you do need to remove the plastic front under-body panel.

The PS belt may give you the most trouble. I forget what combination of a 1/4" drive socket and swivel it took to adjust things and the heavy PS hoses tend to keep the unit from moving AT ALL.

I actual got a belt tension gauge on two of the three belts when I re-tightened them.

Provide them with the new belts and it should be a job that most any reputable shop can do.

[yodawill2000]

I did mine from the bottom.Not much of a deal once you learn how the tensioners work . lol Gerrys right the .The PS belt can be a bugger.

[Victor]

Well I bought three Goodyear Gatorback belts, cost me $51.97 plus tax at Autozone. I could have also bought Gates at Napa for about the same price, I don't know which brand is better, but Goodyear claims their Gatorback belts lasts longer and are quieter. The nearest Infiniti dealer is 20 miles away and I didn't want to drive that far just to buy some belts. The belts they sold me all have four ribs, I hope that's right.I was right about the power steering belt, there is a half inch difference in length between the J30 and J30T.Just my luck the belt that broke was the one way in the back so I guess I have to remove the other two belts to install the alternator belt whether I wanted to or not.The belt that failed had been squealing and I tightened it up about a month or so ago and it was O.K up until a few days ago when it started squealing again, but I was at the limit of adjustment and couldn't tighten it anymore. So I suggest if anyone else ever gets in a situation where your belt is squealing and you can't tighten it up anymore to replace it immediately while you can still choose the time and place to do it.Any more suggestion or does anyone have a step by step procedure for doing this replacement?

[qship96]

While you have all 3 old belts off, turn all 3 idler pullys by hand to make sure their bearings operate smoothly, and replace any that dont- common for the pully bearings to wear at this age and can freeze up and snap a new belt.

[gr8scott72]

While you have all 3 old belts off, turn all 3 idler pullys by hand to make sure their bearings operate smoothly, and replace any that dont- common for the pully bearings to wear at this age and can freeze up and snap a new belt.

Yup. The one that will go first will be the A/C idler pulley.

[Victor]

I started trying to change the belts but have run into a big problem. The adjustment bolt for the power steering pump belt tension is bent and I can't turn it. I loosened the bracket that holds it so it is no longer having any effect but I can't move the power steering pump even if I could adjust the bolt. It seems frozen in place, and I can't see any pivot point bolt like the alternator has to loosen. So can anyone tell me is there some hidden bolt I have to loosen to be able to move the power steering pump, or do I have to just get a big crowbar and force it, althoiugh I can't see a good place to pry against. I think I wll have to try to cut the adjustment bolt out with my dremel mototool and see if I can buy another one.I had to end up draining the radiator and removing the radiator hoses because of these new problems. If the power steering pump would move and the adjustment bolt wasn't bent I think I could have done the job wothout doing this.One other thing, I see four 10MM nuts what looks like are holding the fan onto the pulley. If I remove them would the fan come off, it is in my way.