hey, i have 1995 maxima and my alternator died yesterday, so currently, i am in the process of taking the old one out and putting the new one. I was able to take off everything, except for this LAST stupid square BOLT that is holding the alternator together to the car.

HOw woiuld you take this bolt out?? need help..do i need special tool? (i was trying to take the bolt out, it was really really fit hard, like 100+ torque)

 

That was the bolt I had problems with too. I believe the square nut is welded onto the bracket so you have to unbolt the other side of it. it took alot of effort and cussing but finally got it off with a new socket since all the other tools seem to strip it more

 

removing that bolt shouldn't be a problem.You have to access the bolt from the rear of the alternator as the square nuts are welded.To access the bolts you have to remove the AC compressor.the compressor has 4 bolts which can be taken off easily.try using WD40 or liquid wrench and leave the square nuts near the pulley alone.
take care,
Jay

 

thanx for all the help.
For future reference, you have to turn the long bolt from the right side of alternator, as seen from front.

couple of important things...

1. drain coolant before changing alternator
2. loosen the idler, then adjust the main serpentile belt (the thicker one of the two, on your right side as seen from the front right tire) loose and take that belt out
3. take that air intake out
4. take out that dual fan in the front
5. take the horn out
6. loosen a/c compressor
7. take the alternator out thru bottom (you really have to squeeze it out)

spent 7 hrs over 4 nights to fix it...first time changing belt too.
Now, I think I can do the whole job in 3 hrs.
Nissan put the alternator in a really hard a** area, as to make anything to do with it a pain in the a**.

by the way, you need screwdrivers, 10,12,13,14,16,17 mm rachet, and delicate hands.

If you have $180 to blow on labor charge, go to mechanics. Rebuilt alternators cost $199 from advance auto parts.