Alternator / Power Steering Belt Replacement: Toyota Lexus V6

Here's how to replace the alternator and power steering belts on a
Toyota or Lexus with a V6 engine.

The serpentine belts are responsible for driving accessories off of the crank of the engine. In the Toyota V6 engines, they drive the alternator and A/C compressor on one belt, and the power steering pump on the secondary belt.

Replacing the belts is a good idea if they are worn, cracked or are squealing on cold starts. Belt failure can lead to sudden loss of steering, a discharged battery or an ineffective A/C system.

The procedure is simple, and you don't need air tools. A ratchet set with 10, 12 and 14 mm sockets will work. A breaker bar with a 22mm socket is recommended to turn the crank pulley clockwise to aid in slipping the new belt on. You'll also need your tire iron, jack, jack stands and a crow-bar or flat screwdriver to tension the power steering belt.

A visual diagram is provided in the beginning of the video to aid where the bolts are located on the engine. The alternator belt uses a pinch bolt and a long tension bolt, in addition to its pivot bolt. The power steering bolt has a tension bolt and a pinch bolt that slides on a track. Tensioning the power steering belt can be difficult since the position of the pump, determined by the position if your pry bar, determines the tension.

This video showed the procedure on a 2005 Lexus ES330 with the 3.3L 3MZ-FE V6 engine. The procedure is the same for 1MZ-FE (3.0L) and 3MZ-FE (3.3L) Toyota Camry V6, Solara, Sienna, Highlander, Avalon and Lexus ES300, RX300 and RX330.