Dodge Nitro. Manual - part 512

Fig. 24: Removing/Installing Power Steering Belt 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

1. Position power steering belt (1) on crankshaft pulley (4). Make sure belt is fully seated in crankshaft 

pulley grooves.  

2. Position top of power steering belt on the top of the power steering pulley (2). 

3. Working from the back side of the power steering pulley (2) , insert a nylon wire tie, 7.75X1/8x.0.050 in, 

through one of the access holes (3) in the pulley.  

4. Tighten the wire tie to hold the drive belt in position.  

5. While holding the drive belt to make sure it stays in position, slowly rotate the engine clockwise.  

6. Once the belt is in position on the pulley, continue rotating the engine until the wire tie snaps.  

7. Remove the wire tie from the vehicle.  

TENSIONER-ACCESSORY DRIVE BELT 

DESCRIPTION 

BELT TENSIONERS-DESCRIPTION 

The automatic belt tensioner is a spring loaded arm and pulley assembly. The tensioner assembly is designed to 
apply constant pressure on the accessory drive belt to maintain proper belt tension. 

1 - POWER STEERING BELT
2 - POWER STEERING PULLEY
3 - ACCESS HOLE
4 - CRANKSHAFT PULLEY

NOTE:

Use only wire ties with nylon locks, not metal.

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 ENGINE Cooling - Nitro

  

OPERATION 

BELT TENSIONER-OPERATION 

The automatic belt tensioner maintains correct belt tension using a coiled spring within the tensioner housing. 
The spring applies pressure to the tensioner arm pressing the arm into the belt, tensioning the belt. 

If a new belt is being installed, the arrow must be within approximately 3 mm (1/8 in.) of indexing mark. Belt is 
considered new if it has been used 15 minutes or less. If this specification cannot be met, check for: 

The wrong belt being installed (incorrect length/width)  

Worn bearings on an engine accessory (A/C compressor, power steering pump, water pump, idler pulley 
or generator)  

A pulley on an engine accessory being loose  

Misalignment of an engine accessory  

Belt incorrectly routed.  

REMOVAL 

REMOVAL-4.0L 

Fig. 25: Removing/Installing Accessory Drive Belt Tensioner - 4.0L 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

WARNING:

The automatic belt tensioner assembly is spring loaded. Do not attempt to 
disassemble the tensioner assembly.

1 - IDLER PULLEY
2 - ACCESSORY DRIVE BELT TENSIONER
3 - MOUNTING BOLT

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 ENGINE Cooling - Nitro

  

1. Remove accessory drive belt. See REMOVAL.  

2. Remove accessory drive belt tensioner.  

REMOVAL-3.7L 

Fig. 26: Removing/Installing Automatic Belt Tensioner - 3.7L 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

1. Remove accessory drive belt (Refer to REMOVAL ). 

1 - TIMING CHAIN COVER
2 - BOLT TORQUE TO 41 N.m (30 FT LBS)
3 - AUTOMATIC BELT TENSIONER

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 ENGINE Cooling - Nitro

  

2. Remove tensioner assembly (3) from engine front cover. 

3. Remove pulley bolt. Remove pulley from tensioner.  

REMOVAL-2.8L DIESEL 

Fig. 27: Removing/Installing Accessory Drive Belt 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

1. Disconnect negative battery cable.  

2. Remove accessory drive belt (9). See Fig. 27. See REMOVAL. 

WARNING:

Because of high spring tension, do not attempt to disassemble 
automatic tensioner. Unit is serviced as an assembly (except for 
pulley on tensioner).

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 ENGINE Cooling - Nitro