How often do you guys replace the drive (Serpentine) belts and is it easy to do yourself?

(The manual says to start inspecting it at 60K miles but doesn't say when it should be replaced)

Thanks

 

I change mines just by the look. If its cracked or looks bad swap it out, I don't wait for the squealing noise to change them.

Is it a DIY, well its easy if you have the car on a lift or jacked up. It took my mechanic no time to do both belts, he said to use OEM Nissan belts but I used Dayco belts and it was no problem. (usually the aftermarket belts will stretch and need to be re-fitted but mines have been fine)

 

well, the timing belt is actually a chain, so its very rare for them to fail. the alternator belt is a pretty easy change but the power steering belt is a biotch.

 

I have 60,800 and mine still look good. I know most cars you change every 30,000 miles..... I was curious as well as when everyone else replaces them..

 

I know that the timing chain doesn't need to be replaced, just wondering about the drive belts.

Mine look fine too but after nearly 10 years in the car I don't know if looks really means anything.

How many drive belts do we have anyway. I assumed we have one long Serpentine belt that powers everything. Is that not true??

 

I'd say after 10 years they are due for a change.
Two belts, One for the power steering and the larger for the other accessories. The larger belt is a breeze to change, but the PS belt is a little more complicated, only because of the location of the bolts/adjuster.

 

"DYI"

This thread is now Yoda approved...

 

If your belts look fine then leave them. If they a frayed or cracked swap them out. Belts are very cheap so your cost is really only labour and a good mechanic shouldn't spend more than 45mins on them.

 

I paid my Nissan Tech to do mine (both) @ 68k.
They weren't bad, but were showing some age.
I am about a 5 on the wrench scale, but I was glad that I pd. them to do the belts, because even with the car on a lift AND with the right tools (apparently the ps adj. **** requires a special angled wrench) the tech struggled with the bolt!

I could NEVER have done that on my own....

I think it cost me about $175 parts and labor. Worth it TO ME.

gr

 

Both belts are "DIY". After I purchased a longer 12 millimeter box end wrench I was able to do the power steering belt. It's more difficult than the ac/alternator belt but it's not as hard as many make it out to be.

The question as has been stated many times about this issue in many other threads is do you want to spend $180 to call for an appointment, spend at least two hours driving and waiting at the repair shop or $40 for two belts and a wrench on a repair that a novice could do in 45 minutes?

By the way you get to keep the wrench too!

 

According to my local Nissan service manager, manufacturer recommendation is 60K miles.

At 50K, I swapped both mine in conjunction with a new crank pulley. From either perspective, you're (kind of) in there anyway.

 

mine began to show wear at 72k miles so they were swapped then. im going to wait to see if they can last til 150k miles.

 

2001 Maxima...Where is the PCV valve located?
Do the brake rotors have enough thickness to be resurfaced once or more or must they be replaced on this car?

 

:

 

I just bought new belts for my wifes Maxima it got 104,000 miles on the orginal belts they look great and don't make any noise. I will be changing them the next time I change the oil just to be safe. I would say 104,000 miles I got my moneys worth. Also I drive a 2005 Frontier with 94,000 mile and the orginal belt still looks new a crack free.

Just inspect your belt for cracks on the inside of the belt were the ribs are and wear on the edges. If it looks worn replace it.

 

PVC is under the maf on the rear bank

Your rotors can probably be resurfaced but you might as well pick up a new set of blanks for a like $20 more. You should be replacing your pads too any time you have your rotors resurfaced or put new ones on.

Next time search, This information is readily available in dozens of threads

 

My belt squeeks like crazy its EMBARESSING its really bad when I start my car up and it never goes away just gets less squilly.

where I live its very damp... and that doesn't help... even during hot/cold days it squeeks and sounds bad.

I tried belt spary, it only worked for like 1 minute... then the annoying sound comes back again.

I think its the power steering belt since its kinda goes away when I turn the steering wheel all the way to a side. could it be loose?

Also, on cold days when I turn my car up and crank the heat up my fan belt squeels so effin loud?? later on goes away...... could it be also loose?

How much for should I expect to pay for new belts parts and labor??? I want to stick to OEM belts.

 

The belts will probably run you $20-30 each and you have 2 belts. Labor would propbably be an 1 or so and labor is around $75 buck an hour. So you are looking a $115 or so depending on were you take it. NAPA and Autozone sell different grades of belts best, good, and cheap. Autozone's best belt is the Goodyear gatorback belt that I prefer over OEM belts. Just take it to a mom and pop mechanic and tell them to put good belts on it. It will be cheaper than the dealer and just as good.

 

I've replaced the main belt about 6 months ago due to the cracking. Like everyone else has said if you hear noises when you rev from the belt or see that it is very cracked its time to get a new one. I changed mine around 70k.

 

I got to get it inspected by someone proffessional.. to me it seems good but it has light rusty look to it... could it be the idler pully...

FOUND THIS VIDEO ON YOUTUBE... SOUNDS THE SAME CLICK AT 2:30 mark

 

Don't use belt spary, just replace both belts if its sqeeking badly.

 

thanks all.....my new mechanic (fella is my neighbor and now has his own shop since the local dealership closed) just picked up my car tonight and will be taking it to his shop in the morning.

Will be doing new belts (I bought from Nissan) and replacing the front & rear pads and rotors (bought on here from group buy)

This will be the first time I've used a private shop. Usually in the past if I can't do the job myself I would have to bring it to a chain.

 

Thanks for that good tip on the Gatorback belts. My 2007 Maxima is squeaking now when I start it up but it goes away after a while. It gets really bad when it rains outside. I'm tired of this embarrassing noise so I'm going to Autozone today. Thanks again.

 

LOL!! This fellow is probably deal of CO poisoning by now! Open the garage door if you're run the motor for any length of time.

 

Looks to be open behind the red car.

 

I let my 94 maxima go 100k miles before I changed any belts (including timing).

Now I change belts about 75k. It is better than having the belts go out while driving.

 

If you think most cars change them every 30,000 miles I have some property to sell you. Total BS.

 

You should get almost 150k per set if you maintain them correclty.

 

They need to be tightened not replaced, unless you've let them go this way awhile.

 

2yr old belts shouldn't need replaced. They have probably stretched a bit and need tightened. Or if you have added say a underdrive crank you could have the wrong size belt on.

 

Replaced mine at 59k miles; they showed wear and I didn't want to take any chances.

 

Guess I need to change them soon. Are OEM belts worth it, or are the Gates comparable?

Thanks to all for the valuable info on these forums. I refer here a lot to keep the old max purring.

 

I've always had good luck with Bando & Gatorback (now sold by Continental) belts.