Nissan Repair: Belt removal, pivot bolt, crankshaft pulley


Question
I have a 97 200sx se.  I am needing to replace the belts.  I got a haynes manual but it doesn't seem to give the information I need. There are two belts, one being smaller than the other.  the larger of the two goes around the crankshaft pulley-air compressor.  The smaller of the two goes around the crankshaft-and what I assume is the power steering pump.  The smaller belt is giving me hell. I cannot seem to release the tension on this belt to remove it.  I loosened the locknut and backed out the adjusting bolt but this did nothing to loosen it.  What am I doing wrong or missing?  The haynes manual is hazy at best.

Answer
John,

You simply start with the outer belt and loosen the attaching hardware.  Most of the time the accessory like the power steering pump or alternator is on a pivot.  You loosen the pivot bolt and then loosen the lock bolt on the bracket.  Then, you unscrew the long bolt that does the adjustment until you can get the belt off.  Installation is the opposite where you tighten the long bolt until the belt is tight.  One inch of deflection on the long side of the belt and then you tighten the lock bolt and the pivot bolt.  On what you said the pivot bolt will have to be loosened a turn to two and the belt should come off.