GDMills

I am trying to change my thermostat on my 02 maxima gle. Of course its only 3 bolts with 2 hoses attached to it so it should take what maybe 20 minutes to change? OF COURSE NOT! Anyways I have attached pictures and I cannot get the top left bolt off the old thermostat because of the tight space it is in. There is a structure in the way, I am not sure what it is that I why I am posting here. I can get a ratchet to the bolt however the ratchet is hitting other parts not letting me be able to turn it. So I am trying to get an extension so I can actually use the ratchet. Anyways can anyone tell me what the structure is with the arrow pointing to it and If it is possible to unbolt that to get it out of the way so I can get an extension to get that bolt off?

Child_uv_KoRn

iTrader: (7)

Spray lube on the belt tensioner, so you don't break it (typically they're pretty rusted, I periodically spray in the nut), then just loosen it all the way down. You'll be able to reach that bolt.

It's doable without loosening the tensioner, but it is very difficult.

FanaticMadMax

wow, that look difficult since mine is a 5 gen and the housing is very different than yours, since mine only have one hose to it and easily to change out but your is a 90 degree pipe with another tiny pipe with it makes it hard to get the ratchet to access to it.

GDMills

This is exactly what I did and worked perfectly, Thanks!