1MZ-FE (V6) Power Steering Belt

['02 XLE V6]

Has anyone ever had any luck in replacing this on their own? I have the PDF manual and it's supposed to be covered in section 14-140, but the PDF only goes up to 14-135. I've googled my brains out and even checked autozone.com's repair manual, and there's not much out there on this subject that helps.

I replaced the acc. belt with no problems, due to cold start squeal. Then I decided to give the PS belt a shot. At my last oil change, Toyota recommended that it may need service in the near future. Although, after looking at it, it appears to be in good condition with no cracks or glaze. I was able to get off the two bolts, (one to mount the bracket and one that should adjust) for the adjusting bracket on the PS pulley, but the thing just won't budge. I can't get the power steering pulley to rotate to loosen the belt. There are a set of bolts on the back of the pump/pulley assembly that look like if they're loosened the whole thing will move, but getting those loose appears to be more than I'm willing and able to do. Space and tools are an issue here, and I'm not even sure those need to be touched.

If anyone has any input I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance.

[bronzemaxell]

i just did the timing belt on 2002 v6, i remembered the bolt is 12mm, initially i tried to loose the bolt with a 1/2" breaker bar with 18" handle, but wouldn't budge, then i use my 1/2" electrical dewalt impact gun, and a swival, pull the trigger once to loose the bolt, once the 12mm bolt loose, doesn't have to remove the bolt, just push the bracket up to loose the belt.

['02 XLE V6]

Originally Posted by bronzemaxell

i just did the timing belt on 2002 v6, i remembered the bolt is 12mm, initially i tried to loose the bolt with a 1/2" breaker bar with 18" handle, but wouldn't budge, then i use my 1/2" electrical dewalt impact gun, and a swival, pull the trigger once to loose the bolt, once the 12mm bolt loose, doesn't have to remove the bolt, just push the bracket up to loose the belt.

Thanks for the reply. This sounds like the 12mm bolt I got loose and out, but the bracket wouldn't move for me in either direction.

[JohnGD]

Could it have been the wrong bolt? One locks the sliding rail, the other the pivot bolt (through the pulley?) You should be able to move the pump easily with hand.

The belts do come loose typically after 50K miles. That's why I believe these things should come with automatic tensioners. The speed at which they stretch increases with age.

I'd use the Krikit-II gauge on Amazon:

http://www.gates.com/brochure.cfm?br...cation_id=2742

Originally Posted by '02 XLE V6

Thanks for the reply. This sounds like the 12mm bolt I got loose and out, but the bracket wouldn't move for me in either direction.

['02 XLE V6]

Originally Posted by JohnGD

Could it have been the wrong bolt? One locks the sliding rail, the other the pivot bolt (through the pulley?) You should be able to move the pump easily with hand.

Thanks for the reply. Maybe I was missing a bolt. I got out 2 bolts. One locks the sliding rail, (in the middle) and the other mounts the rail, (on the bottom). When you say, "Through the pulley" do you mean that the pivot bolt must be accessed by going through a hole in the pulley? I did see a bolt behind it, but I left it alone.