Belt tensioner issues

RICKYSH11

MEMBER
2006 NISSAN ALTIMA
3.5L
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
120,000 MILES

Hello, I am currently having issues trying to remove a belt tensioner. My initial plan was to remove the belt so that I could replace the compressor and add a new belt as well since the one I have was very old and going bad. I came across the issue of the bolt on the tensioner being completely rounded I suppose from some previous service or so. I was not able to remove it with any tools I had and wasn't able to use a nut splitter either. I tried using a Dremel to cut the nut off but that doesn't seem to work so well. There is limited space so some tools I cannot use. Could there be a certain way to go ahead cutting it, maybe heating the nut or a stronger tool to use?

3 Replies

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

Can you get a picture of what the bolt looks like now?

The thing that worked for me in the past was to use vice grips to hold the bolt and turn it. Clearly when a bolt is stripped, and a wrench will not get it off then we need to use any means necessary and then replace the bolt. So, using vice grips will most likely not round the bolt off anymore. If you need to heat the bolt, then that will help but you will want to focus the heat where the threads are and not the head of the bolt as you want the threads to expand.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/serpentine-belt-tensioner-replacement

I am attaching some info on this process of checking the belt as others may need that. Clearly that will not help with removing the bolt on this vehicle, but that process is going to be trial and error. So, let's start by getting a picture of it and we can come up with some ideas.

Thanks

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Tuesday, March 29th, 2022 AT 11:11 AM

RICKYSH11

MEMBER
74 POSTS

Thank you for your reply, I apologize for not responding sooner, as I have been very busy working. I finally have gotten through the nut. I just kept at it, and I finally cut through. After inspecting the pieces, I noticed it was taking so long because I wasn’t consistent in the angle of the cut. Each time I stopped and started back I was in a slightly different position. Thank you for the information that you provided as well.

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Wednesday, May 4th, 2022 AT 8:13 AM

KASEKENNY