Hello,
I had my alternator die last week on my 97 I30 and when I was putting the belt on the nut stripped on my idler pulley. What is the best way to remove this or is there a bracket it attaches two that I can just replace?

 

It's part of an assembly. It's replaced as a unit.

 

I replaced my stripped out unit with a good condition junkyard replacement. It was cheap and easy.

 

That's because you used a 12-point ratchet and Nissan uses soft metals for their fasteners

ONLY use a 6-point!!!!

Anyway, it's easy to remove. Just undo three bolts. Two underneath and one at the top. You may have to cut the belt off first, if you can't relieve the tension.

You will also need to buy a new tensioner assembly. The only one that comes as a complete assembly is Flennor FS99226. About $25 from Rock Auto

 

I ordered the part, I did find out I can just take out the whole thing, Thanks

 

The pulley is a whole assembly with the bracket. The bracket has 3 bolts 1 on the top and 2 on the bottom i belive the bolts size are a 12 mm

 

You can can use a pair of vise grips to remove the nut on the pulley, close the frame correct? You won't be able to get the bolts off under the pulley unless you have a shaved special wrench! I usually loosen the 14 mm nut on the pulley using an extra long combination wrench! I believe that's the nut you stripped? If its the actual hex that's stripped go to your local hardware store and grab one, maybe even a nylon lock nut! I have enough hardware in my garage that I'll find a match in my parts bins! Good luck! If the nut is the issue and not the adjustment rod then a nut will fix it and a new unit isn't necessary!

 

When you guy are in the junkyard I would advise grabbing a few! If the bearing are shot Graingers usually carries them and they're usually less than $10 per bearing! Build it and set it on your shelf to either use on sell!

 

Actually, all you have to do is cut the belt off, then you will be able to push the idler pulley out of the way so you can get to the bottom bolts. Since you're replacing the belt anyway, it's ok to cut it off.

 

Is the idler pulley loose already? I figured if the nut is stripped then the pulley is tight or the vertical slot! cutting the belt won't help you! What part of the tensioner is F'd Up The tensioner threaded rod (that is the vertical bolt with the Hex'd top) or is it the nut that sits on the pulley center?

 

Still cant get the darn thing off. I have tried everything.

 

Go to a junkyard. Take one off a wrecked car, to practice on what you need to do to remove yours. Then keep the one you took off at the junkyard and put it on your car.

 

Got it out and replaced; had to cut the pulley a bit to get the bracket off. Thanks for everyones help.

 

so my nut was stripped so badly from previous owner I couldn’t get it off. Tried back off sockets, screw drivers you name it. I decided to hell with it. A new pulley is fairly cheap so I go to lows to buy a dremel and a metal cutting wheel. I get back and the dang dremel can’t reach because the body of the car. Thought over it a few minutes and decided I’d cut through the bottom left bolt holding the bracket. PRESTO. For this to work you will need to loosen the top 3rd bolt 90%, loosen the bottom left as much as possible (the pulley wheel will only allow it to go so far). Slide your dremel cutting wheel behind and flush with the head of the bolt and go to town. Took two small wheels to do the job. Which was ok they come in packs of 5. After that head is off take your 12 mm wrench and begin to loosen the bottom right bolt. You will be able to unscrew that bolt complete removing the entire bracket. Then with your hand remove the remainder of the cut bolt from the engine. Total time took me an hour and I’ll be completely replacing the pulley and the one bolt I cut. Hope this helps. Cheers.