Nissan Patrol GU 3.0l TD Drive Belt Replacement

Make sure you are putting socket on to the casting bolt and not the mounting bolt it will only move one way against spring tension
I take the fan shroud off and also the fan to get easier access
Good luck

The easiest way is to put a socket with a long breaker bar on it from underneath. Remove the lower part of the shroud which just clips off. Place the breaker bar on so it is facing the ground. When you turn it anti clock wise you will be compressing the auto tensioner which is like a small shock absorber. It will be turning against oil pressure so there is considerable resistance. You will need a second person to flip the belt off the alternator. Once its off there you can remove the rest of the belt and install the new one on everything bar the alternator. Compress the tensioner again and have somebody flip it onto the alternator pulley.
Beware if you have an after market belt because alot of people are selling belts 5 mm shorter than the OEM and you will not get it on. I think from memory the correct size is 1570 but I am at home not at work and only guessing. The tensioner will not compress much but you will have to hold it compressed. Before you install the new belt check the bushes on either end of the tensioner as these chop out. The pulley bearing also gets noisey. Don't buy a genuine pulley if it needs one. You can replace the bearing. The part number is on my Nissan Patrol page which you can get via my link in my profile.
I hope this helps.
Scott

Hey Bob ,

I use a long breaker bar with a socket , on my vehicle a small section of fan shroud unclips and gives you enough access to get tool in.

The belt tensioner is kind of like a shock absorber and feels solid then when you over come the pressure it becomes easy to move.

99% sure i lie down and pull the bar toward the passenger side , once you have the shroud off and a light in there you can see whats going on heaps better.

Good on you for having a go , good practice for if the belt breaks in the back of beyond.

Hope this helps you out .

Glenn.

Hi Bob,
Out of interest, what is the recommended life on the drive belt? Reason I ask is that I just had 100k service done by Nissan and this wasn't replaced. Figured most are around 100k.
Regards, Hugh

Success! Tried again today using all advice provided above and working under the car I was able to change the belt. Ended up taking the fan off which made putting the new belt on a lot easier.

Thanks to all who offered advice.

Bob.