how can I change the power steering belt to a 1987 maxima?

Answer 1

The Car Power Steering System consists of the followings:
1. Rack & Pinion Power Steering Gear
2. Hydraulic Pump
3. Oil Reservoir (you will find a small white plastic or metallic canister with a black cap on it & some traces of red color hydrulic oil, remember another Reservoir opposite to this Oil Reservoir with 'green' or 'blue' liquid traces is for radiator coolant)
4. Hoses
The Connection:
There are three Pulleys:
1. Main Crankshaft
2. Hydraulic Pump (related to your question)
3. Air Conditioner
The Belt connects these three items and in between them there is an IDLER pulley. This pulley is adjustable and is used for adjustment of the belt tension.
So, the System works as follows, when you turn ON the ignition:
1. The Hydraulic Pump starts pumping the oil to the Power Steering System (supplies pressurerized oil to one inlet, through one of the two main Hoses---called as 'Pressure Port').
2. The 'Return Port' sends back the 'used' oil back to the Oil Resevoir through the other remaining main hose---to make it available for the Hydraulic Pump to use when needed.So the cycle keeps on going until you switch OFF the engine.
Changing the BELT (your question):
1. Loosen the IDLER Pulley.
2. Remove the Belt over the Crankshaft, Airconditioner and Hydraulic Pump pulleys.
3. Replace new belt in the same way.
4. Tighten the IDLER Pulley. When you tight it, ensure that the tension is about 2-3 mm (press & pull the belt until you get the 2-3 mm up & down belt movement feel---after you place it over all the three pulleys---at the same time tightening the IDLER pulley at the required torque (so that it doesn't gets loosen easily).

Ready!