How do I get the last bolt off the alternator?

[Ashley_MTX]

Okay all- finally got a (very windy) day to change the alternator. I have the belt off and all but ONE bolt off. It sits under the bracket on the intake and I've got NO room to maneuver. It's a 15 mm bolt and there's stuff in the way so I can't get an extension in there to get some leverage. I hit the engine on one side and well...some hard lines and the front of the car on the other.

Attaching a picture- I need any advice on tools or tricks you all have. I'm hoping to get this taken care of today but I AM going out of town soon so it's not an emergency yet but...it will be fairly quickly.

Thanks again- Ashley

 

[Rubix]

I guess you're just using sockets? A rachet wrench might be helpful here.

Can you get a socket on there with a little range of motion or none whatsoever?

 

[Ashley_MTX]

I have ratchet wrenches...problem is where the alternator was connected...I guess it was a ground wire you can see in the picture it looks like it's to the left of the bolt- actually it's ABOVE the bolt. can't get a ratchet wrench in there because it hits that.

 

[kikkinasphalt]

I have ratchet wrenches...problem is where the alternator was connected...I guess it was a ground wire you can see in the picture it looks like it's to the left of the bolt- actually it's ABOVE the bolt. can't get a ratchet wrench in there because it hits that.

i used a couple long extensions and a swivel-socket

 

[Rubix]

Ahh yea I see that. Does a socket wrench with a socket on there clear that ground bolt? Probably hits that hard line though doesn't it.

 

[Ashley_MTX]

Ahh yea I see that. Does a socket wrench with a socket on there clear that ground bolt? Probably hits that hard line though doesn't it.

Yep- that's the problem. I got some offset ratchet wrenches. About to go test to see if they clear.

 

[milestoldyouso2]

What about just a regular open end closed end wrench? The closed ends are usually angled so you should be able to clear it. If you need leverage then slip a peice of pipe over the wrench, just be careful not to over do it.

 

[jthod]

I unbolted the lines from the AC and let it drain inot the garage.






:theyareontome:

 

[Ashley_MTX]

Offset ratcheting wrenches worked. Now I can't get the damn thing out of the car. Just the 3 bolts right? Two on the left, one on the right?

Ashley

 

[kikkinasphalt]

Offset ratcheting wrenches worked. Now I can't get the damn thing out of the car. Just the 3 bolts right? Two on the left, one on the right?

Ashley

over complicating it huh

 

[Rubix]

Hammer time... don't get too rough though.

 

[Ashley_MTX]

Hm I guess my post that I got it didn't get up here. Ran out of daylight and knocked the washer on the tensionor down off the engine bay. Little bit of an oh shit moment but hopefully with some more light I can find it tomorrow. Thanks all!

 

[shocrates]

FWIW, that post above the bolt you were having a difficult time with is not for grounding. Don't forget to connect the wire to that stud before you connect the battery.

 

[Ashley_MTX]

Hey thanks- my car has a lot of random plugs that go to weird places...or not to anything so...sometimes I just make things up.

Anyway it WORKS. Found the part, got it taken care of, started the car- no battery light anymore. Guess I fixed it. I'm taking the battery to be put on a charger hopefully tomorrow so that it's not so dead anymore. Next stop- finally doing that multifunction switch.

Thanks again everyone.

 

[SHObill]

so where is Sam? Oh did he ship out already?
come on, thats a 'honey do' thing! LOL

 

[Ashley_MTX]

Psh whatever as he's said he doesn't work on his own cars. I do. And my SHO bit me a few times. But yeah- Sam shipped out on the 28th, the battery light came on Dec. 2, I got the alternator yesterday- and today it's fixed.

If he were here it would have been fixed by the 4th...this I know. But yeah he's there. Thread is called D'oh in gen. chit chat.

 

[hawkeye18]

Hey thanks- my car has a lot of random plugs that go to weird places...or not to anything so...sometimes I just make things up.

Anyway it WORKS. Found the part, got it taken care of, started the car- no battery light anymore. Guess I fixed it. I'm taking the battery to be put on a charger hopefully tomorrow so that it's not so dead anymore. Next stop- finally doing that multifunction switch.

Thanks again everyone.

Yeah the post on the alternator is the B+ terminal... I have arc welded wrenches on that thing by not putting it on before the battery terminals.

Also, there's a joke in that first line somewhere... I'll let james find it, though.

 

[SHOspazz92]

-Sam

 

[Ashley_MTX]

lol- yeah I know there's a joke there. I accept this.

 

[Toolman]

Sam, I will say it again, you do not deserve this girl!! Beautiful AND she works on her own car!! Hurry home Sam!!