1999 Mazda Miata Alternator and Power Steering Pump Belt Replacement

[@kai-oh8xl]

I just replaced my alternator on my 1999 miata using this video with no mechanic experience. Thank you so much!

[@FranciscoRamirez-ic9zr]

This video made my morning. I just picked up an 04 miata and for the life of me i could not get the belt off. I was cursing and ready to flip a table. I searched forums and other youtube videos. Yours was the life saver. Thank you for this

[@TimWilliamss]

Thanks so much for taking the time to make this video. I had a squeaky belt and replaced it this weekend following the video step by step. Great work!

[@countvond233]

Excellent!! 2000 owner. Just replaced my alternator belt in hurricane remnants here in NC. Thank you - you are a saint for taking the time to do this.

[@radar1200]

Had an alternator belt break in my '92 Miata. I've got a Haynes Manual, but this video was perfect! I'm more of a visual learner and you did an excellent job explaining every step and pointing out where everything is. Job done in less than an hour!

[@ToolTimeTabor]

Awesome. Glad to help.

[@kiddingme01]

Thanks! This helped immensely! I had to replace alternator and I found at another website that to get to that bottom, rear bolt on the alternator, you can do from the top. Just remove the stabilizer bracket (it has two 14mm bolts on top right above alternator and one 14mm bolt below the alternator facing inwards). Sorry, I don't know to explain better, but it made work so much easier!!! Thanks again for taking the time to make this video!

[@dietdoctorpupper9887]

I’ve used this video twice in 6 months honestly you’re a lifesaver

[@ToolTimeTabor]

I appreciate your compliment. My videos tend to be a bit long, but I want folks to have a true sense of whether they can do it or not. If I can do it, you can too. But, it is nice to see as much detail as possible before starting.

[@video-zs6kx]

ToolTime Tabor, Awesome video! Couldn't have done it without your help, and I really appreciate it! The two wrench technique saved me on the alternator bolt on my 2004. I will point out, at the risk of you having done so already, that I thought I had loosened the tightening bolt for the alternator, so I assumed it was stuck and needed to be forced to moved, when in fact, I just needed to loosen the tightening bolt A WHOLE LOT MORE than I had loosened it, then the alternator moved freely. Oh well, I enjoyed the project anyway, and your video made it possible. Thanks!!!

[@LiquidF351]

Thanks for this. Got nine minutes in and figured out how to do everything. well done !

[@ToolTimeTabor]

Usually, once you know how to uninstall, you can figure out the install. Mainly, I do both to improve confidence that a newbie like me can do it, so others can too.

[@ToolTimeTabor]

Glad to see someone found it useful. BTW, if you bring a 14mm box end wrench straight up from underneath the alternator, and if you are strong enough, you can actually break that pivot bolt free without pulling off the bottom engine cowling. Of course, I tried it after it had already been "broken loose" and it was still very difficult, but it is possible.

[@benbennit]

Brilliant video. Got mine sorted in half an hour. 2000 mx5 and beyond has an easier altenator setup with the bolts. Appreciate the video. The car doesn't squeal and wail like a banshee. 😆

[@wadeguidry6675]

You are right to the point. Great no bs video! I will be consulting your videos in the future. ( I hate when idiots explain how the belt wore out, how they went to the parts store, who they talked to at the store, how many beers they drank on the way home, why they chose a red colored car, what their astrological sign is, how their tennis elbow is acting up, etc., etc., etc.............. )

[@999giorgio]

Great instructional on belt changes. Just performed the belt change on my 1999 and agree the bottom alternator bolt is a tough one. Ended up levering my alternator back with a bar to create sufficient slack to slip the belt back. Thanks for the advice regards Graham UK.

[@pjbcollins]

Thanks for taking the time to put this video together. Very well explained, couldn't have done the job without it, cheers!

[@rbtpugh]

Thank you so much for this video. It was very helpful. I was able to break the bottom alternator bolt loose from the top by using a small hammer to tap the box end. Took some patience but saved a little time. I was also able to get away with leaving the air box in place. Again, thanks for the excellent quality and thoroughness.

[@ICBomber427]

Used the double wrench technique on the pivot bolt, worked like a charm!

[@jjiil1077]

Thanks for the video. Very helpful. First attempt and it help me change the belts with ease. I used a breaker bar to turn the 21mm crank bolt so the power steering pulley turned to expose the 14mm pivot bolt. I was able to reach the alternator pivot bolt from the top down the side with a ratchet spanner, which was in the same position. May be my engine was so oily because of the leaking cam cover gasket that it made things easy to undo. Now I need to do it again when the timing belt needs replacing.

[@munroeje]

Thanks for documenting this. Very methodical and thorough! Hope it translates to a '91 Miata. Will be doing this tomorrow.

[@RobertsDesignGroup]

Many thanks for this. You make it look very easy. I need to swop over my alternator and your video has helped me so much.

[@jeffspencer600]

Thanks for the video. Helped me change both belts on my 2001 Miata.

[@drlest717]

Thanks for this video; it helped a lot. I replaced both belts pretty easily.

[@ToolTimeTabor]

That's good information. Taking the under cowling off was a pain. Thanks for the feedback.

[@joegibbons7599]

Great video that worked well on a 1994 Miata. I used belts from NAPA: 25-040372 for the power steering and 25-040347 for the alternator. Take the old belts to the store to confirm fit. Also, I recommend spraying penetrating oil on all bolts and nuts prior to removal. I was able to adjust the alternator without loosening the bottom (pivot) bolt by positioning a bar on the casing and tapping it lightly with a hammer. Don't break the alternator casing.

[@AlanMcT]

This video is really well done - thanks. It saved a lot of figuring out. Don't like the rear bolt on the alternator though. You're right - Mazda could have done better with that.

[@cybeer67]

Thank you SO MUCH for taking your time and sharing this video. It really helped me a lot ! THANK YOU !

[@GILLEBRATH]

Thank you for an easy and understandable video/ I have a 1.6 protege and needs alternator belt replaced. excellent video.Best regards.

[@Biomobility]

Nice video, thanks! Should be very helpful when I replace my belts. And bonus points for the Garmin FR70 watch! I have that watch as well.

[@terrygannon7254]

Many thanks for this video saved me a lot of pain

[@AccumbensNucleus]

Fantastic video. Great detail. Thanks!

[@manuelpedroza4569]

Thanks helped a lot, as I did it I noticed ur Miata isn't slammed if it's slammed you don't needa bother going under for the back bolt from the alternator you can do it from the top

[@markphillips4589]

Thanks for the video very clear and easy to follow

[@lz3390]

Great video! So hard to illustrate where some of these bolts are. (Mainly the alternator pivot bolt) Thanks!

[@markgibson7008]

Great video. about to start on my 2001. hope i have a front access bolt for the alternator.

[@chrisb9156]

Thanks heaps great video

[@markgibson7008]

In my garage days we used to just cut the old belts off, it also allows you to rotate any pulleys by hand for alignment needs

[@ToolTimeTabor]

That is a great idea. Sometimes the simplest approach is the best.

[@TheAdventureAuto]

Your video was so helpful! Thank you for making.

[@kevinjames7012]

Nice video! Helped me big time👍

[@CRUZINWOODWARD]

Thanks for the video. Helped me out a lot.

[@kennyfsu]

AWESOME video, thanks for taking the time.

[@randallbates8891]

FYI My 96 with AC and PS would NOT allow the 373K4 belt (too short at 37.3") to go on even with the two pulleys touching. I measured the length needed to be 37 3/8".. hence the 378K4 (37.8"). Having said that, the last mechanic to install this belt actually got a 370K4 (37.0") installed.. I couldn't even get it off! Had to cut it off.. He must have used a crow bar to stretch it on... PS: The 382K4( 38.2") will also fit. It just uses most of the tension distance to get tight.. My only explanation for this is that my 96 must have a larger pulley on either the PS or the AC.. Are there others?

[@squeegeeman2000]

Outstanding video

[@peterpenalosa9264]

whenever I start driving the miata it's hard to steer, the fluid is good, it may be the rack & pinion or the pump for the steering wheel, it's funny cause the autozone guy told me it takes a transmission fluid not a steering fluid, he's right with one thing though check first fluid level that save me money, so question w/c is the problem the rack & pinion or the steering pump cause it's hard steer for awhile after few runs it's ok, want to know if this is natural

[@brandonTHEblackGUY]

I never messed with the pivot bolt on the bottom of my 91 miata alternator just the lock bolt and tension bolt. But, my alternator keeps coming loose! I need help.. ToolTimeTabor

[@sydneyburlew]

great video. Job now done. That alternator pivot bolt was the worst of it.

[@adriancotton1]

Great video thanks!

[@_jakebake]

“It’s a pain in the backside” lmfao that explains my experience of working on cars

[@fubar2090]

You can put a 21 mm nut on the crank bolt and turn the motor until the holes in the pulley were aligned.

[@aburnley28]

Thanks for this video. I found it much more useful than any book. Mine's a 1997 mazda mx5 UK spec but everything seems to be in the right place

[@gsdubz9931]

An air ratchet would make that cowling come off so much faster, I wish I had one! I did my radiator a couple weekends ago. Why didn't I do my belts then?? :( Great video though, will do this next weekend.

[@harryplant1771]

Seen quite a few of these and yours is by far the easiest to follow. Being English you need less speed to able to not miss anything being said. But now being honest did you really cure that annoying squeaking or is that the new 'Miata Cockatoo model' from next door? Well done pal. Barry ENGLND.

[@ToolTimeTabor]

Actually, it did go away. Thank goodness.

[@frankguzman3667]

Well done! THANKS!

[@ToolTimeTabor]

Thanks for the input. I recently replaced (and posted a video) on how to do the alternator. It includes how to get the air intake manifold support brace out. What a dumb design, given that a "bolt hole" could easily have been drilled into it to permit easier alternator replacement.

[@ToolTimeTabor]

How did it go?

[@sarthakt.287]

Helpful, thanks!

[@BillyBlaze7]

you can remove that brace real easy that is directly behind the alternator, it will make the room you need to work on the alternator from the top :-)

[@Woolleybear]

great advice thanks

[@ToolTimeTabor]

Thanks for the feedback.

[@dwergmaster]

Concerning the 'pivot bolt', it's simpler to put the car in fifth gear and push it a little forward or back instead of starting it (especially with the air filter removed, I'd not feel comfortable with that).

[@nolahahnshouse3389]

This video will be a great help to me but a suggestion to you get some better tools it will help I promise you!

[@eadgbefreak]

Thank you!

[@snayke1973]

No one ever shows actually putting the belt on because it's so freaking aggravating

[@ToolTimeTabor]

LOL. Yeah, most videos say "do it in reverse" to reassemble. Not always helpful. Climbing up a mountain is hard, but climbing down is actually harder...

[@BillyBlaze7]

I'm surprised people don't disconnect the battery to replace windshield wipers these days lol

[@shirleywhite7922]

f

[@manuelpedroza4569]

Thanks helped a lot, as I did it I noticed ur Miata isn't slammed if it's slammed you don't needa bother going under for the back bolt from the alternator you can do it from the top