Power Steering Tensioner Siezed
 

A couple years ago before I could DIY I went to my mechanic to replace my two drive belts. He changed the main accessory belt fine, but was unable to loosen the tensioner at all for the power steering belt. He has worked on these cars for a long time and done it many times so he knew about the reverse direction of turning one of the bolts and everything else involved; just couldn't do it. He did say that the belt wasn't in that bad of shape though. There's a couple jobs I may have to do at some point in the future like the front crank seal, that require the belts to be taken off then put back on. Any advice on what I should do to deal with the seized tensioner and be able to R&R the belt? thanks.

What part of the tensioner bolt is seized?

Unfortunately I don't remember; just that he tried hard and couldn't loosen the tensioner at all. Whoever did my belts several years ago after my crank pully separated must've overtorqued them...the other accessory tensioner was seized also and we had to get a new one.

I have the same issue as I tried doing both belts months ago. That tensioner just won't loosen up. I don't what it is. I kept turning it either direction and still would not do anything. I said screw it, belt looks fine and wasn't frayed/ripping. I just replaced the big one.

Here is the parts book drawing of the power steering belt tensioner.

It will give you an idea of what the parts are and what you need to do. Seems like both of you will need to replace something.

http://www.infinitipartsdeal.com/par...-mounting.html

this is the same hardware on the i30 and i35 as well as the Maxima 4th & 5th gens.

Thanks for the diagram...I'll plan on replacing the entire assembly since it's not that expensive anyways. But how the heck do I take the current one off at this point / need to buy anything to do it? Is it DIY for someone with intermediate level skills? thanks.

Replacing the tensioner is easy. Go get one from a boneyard. They are inexpensive there and you can see how they work. I think I paid $12 for the whole assembly.

It's not easy because the issue is that it's seized, and the mechanic was unable to loosen the belt because of this.

Edit: After looking close at the diagram, am I just going to have to remove that top bolt where the tensioner connects to the engine since one or both of the other bolts are seized? This will remove the tensioner then I can start from scratch with a new one. Is this correct? If so, I don't even know if there will be enough clearance to get to that bolt with the tensioner/pump in the way?

A number of people on this board (myself included) have walked the belt on without releasing the tensioner bolt. I used a piece of string to pull up on it while someone turned the engine over, but there are other ways.

Thanks I've been reading here about people walking the belt onto the power steering pulley by turning the crankshaft with the belt fully on the crankshaft pulley from the start...I guess I'm having trouble visualizing how turning/rotating the crankshaft will "stretch" the belt enough for it to get onto the power steering pulley. Any advice?

Here is a video on how to adjust the ps belt. I was made for a 4th gen, but the 5th gen is the same. It talks about what bolts you need to loosen and should be helpful for replacing parts.