Part 3. 1990-2005 Mazda Miata Alternator and Power Steering belt replacement.

Part 3 of 3 videos on alternator and power steering belt replacement.
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Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of MiataMan, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. MiataMan assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. MiataMan recommends safe practices when working on vehicles and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of MiataMan, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not MiataMan.

[@roberthagstrom259]

Lifesaver! My son just got a 96 na. Alternator belt turned to dust before we got the car home.

[@keithposter5543]

Top video - thanks. Just a note to say that that the NB (98-05) has the alternator pivot bolt head at the rear. Which is, frankly, insane.

[@mattaiello7035]

Hey man, massively helpful and easy to follow vids - definitely not a mechanic but trying to learn. Vids like this really take the 'intimidating' out of engine jobs. thanks for posting

[@MiataMan]

Thanks for your kind words. Made my day 👍😊

[@rolo_pabbs]

Thanks for the amazing clear video and explanation. My NA 1.8 is squeaks when I start the far, then disappears. This will help me a lot diagnose the problem. 🤙🏾

[@MiataMan]

You're welcome!

[@aesthetics1190]

Dang that's crazy I'm going to replace my alternator within the next few days and this will be very helpful

[@roelandzw1846]

Thanks for the video's. They give me the cofidence to do the belt change on my '96 NA. 💪👍

[@joshroussel9153]

Great stuff, doing this on my 93 LE today. Thank you

[@WiSeNhEiMeR-1369]

HOWdy M-M, Thanks for the VISUAL & Details 1993 "NA" MIATA automatic Transmission COOP ...

[@misszerylvscompany1683]

I know this is a year old i dont know if your still around but the little trick works last time i had to go thru the pully it was a headache for some reason

[@daveeddy2402]

Thank you. Bought our 1st Miata last week and towed it home with a rope. I think the idler pulley has failed but I'm not sure which belt runs in it without going out to look again. But I think I have to take off the alternator belt to get to it.

[@MiataMan]

Congratulations on getting a Miata. The idler pulley is behind the timing cover and tensions the timing belt. You are not able to see it without removing things.

[@daveeddy2402]

@@MiataMan Thank you.... The sound I'm hearing is coming from the 6" "pulley" that's underneath the thermostat housing...it's a growling noise mixed with a rapid rattle....like gravel being swished around in a plastic bottle. It runs off the alternator belt. That's what I thought I was ordering but they sent me something else...that looks more like a big bearing.

[@daveeddy2402]

The black pulley closest to your thumb at about 10 seconds. What pulley is that?

[@daveeddy2402]

Ugh!! It's the water pump!!

[@sammiebendo6098]

Do we have to unplug the battery to replace the belts? Also these videos were so informative and helpful!

[@MiataMan]

Great question 👍 Disconnecting the battery is a wise idea when replacing the alternator belt.

[@mokambrose]

Thanks your sharing! but one problem my Miata has that is the whole power steering assembly such as power steering pump and belt tighter these my Miata doesn't have...so it would be doing other way to replace belts that I'm distressing

[@jordanwalker1531]

Is it possible to tighten the belts without taking the intake apart? New to me MSM squeaks like a mother when I first start it up.

[@MiataMan]

Yes. It’s a bit trickier, but doable 👍

[@MercedesDenz]

1.8 1994 miata alternator pivot bolt is on the back :( Trying to get it off for one hour now...... Im on the verge of crying

[@MercedesDenz]

FIXED! under the alternator is a little protrusion, wedged a prybar in and pushed the alternator to the middle of the engine while having the adjusting bolt fully undone almost. BAM its loose.

[@timothystrunk7323]

So my power steering tensioner bolt head snapped off. Should I use pliers to back it out all the way? Then just get a new bolt 🔩????

[@MiataMan]

I would order the new bolt and possibly the block that it goes through. When you have it ready to go, just cut the old belt off to save time.

[@jstalinjr]

Thank you for this. I have a question though. Does the power steering pump adjust just by loosening the tensioner and moving it by hand? Or do you need to loosen the pivot bolt behind the pulley first? Great video, I subscribed.

[@jstalinjr]

Oh I see now, I just watched part 2 , it sounds like the power steering pump might or might not move whether or not you loosen the bolt behind the pulley.

[@amycoble8981]

is the belt supposed to feel fully tight with the alternator only halfway across the path? i’m afraid of overtightening the belt

[@MiataMan]

Yes. It allows for more adjustment as the belt stretches over time.

[@ItziCoreHD]

I’m having some real trouble getting my alternator belt on the alternator pulley, I can’t move the alternator any more I’ve already loosened it right off and I’ve got a like for like belt, any tips anyone’s found to make life easy? 97 1.6 here

[@MiataMan]

It could be that you have the wrong size belt. Another option is that you need to double check that you have loosened the adjuster bolt off all of the way and that the pivot bolt at the bottom has been loosened. Side note: 1994-1997 Miatas in North America all had 1.8L engines.

[@nullfox955]

How can I be sure I don't over-tighten it?