View Full Version : HELP!!!
UrbnCougar33
04-04-2004, 06:51 PM
i am in the middle of trying to take my alternator off and i can't seem to figure out how to get the top bolt off. we just spent 20 dollars in socket extensions and swivels and still can't seem to be able to get it. if anyone has any ideas that would be wonderful. just think all this work to get to a voltage regulator.
Hit the top bolt from the top of the engine. You'll need a 24" or better 3/8" extension, a universal joint, and a 13mm shallow socket. Have the person underneath given directions to the person feeding the extension from the top of the motor, and the person underneath guide it on with one hand, which you can fit in there. Just used this to get SVT Pete's alternator off so I could remove his SHM headers.
UrbnCougar33
04-05-2004, 08:58 PM
well i will try it and see if i can get it that way. by the way, dan i saw you driving by ,y jobsite today. you know where that new target is on 29? that is where i work right now.
"Saw" me or "heard" me? Usually the latter comes before the former in this beast.... :rolleyes:
UrbnCougar33
04-06-2004, 09:15 PM
no i actually saw you drive by. and i still haven't had any luck getting this alternator off.
yssupkat
04-07-2004, 04:13 PM
bennett9000 posted this in how-to's:
To get the top bolt out:
Remove the front passenger's side wheel.
Remove the black plastic splash guard behind it- the smaller one at the bottom of the fenderwell, not the full piece.
Take the tie rod loose from the hub. You may need to rent a tool for taking the tie rod end out- some are really sticky, and they get deformed if you have to beat on them.
Now you can see the alternator from here.
Reach in through the fenderwell, and try to feel the top bolt. It's easier than sticking your hand up from the bottom of the car. When you figure out where it is, take your deepwell socket ONLY and attempt to put it on the bolt from there.
Once it's on the bolt, go back under the car with the U-joint and the 18"-odd-inches of extensions. You should be able to see the socket you just put on, and it shouldn't be TOO hard to snap the u-joint onto it from down below. Then you can remove the top bolt.
Now your alternator is loose. Wiggle it out of the bracket, and go back to the fenderwell. You have to pull it out through there. It takes a lot of twisting and moving around- it's kinda like a puzzle, trying to figure out how this thing needs to twist to fit out through the little hole. But it will
i dunno if that will work or if you should even try it. any thoughts, dan? :shrug:
Doesn't sound exactly how I did it, but to each his own- I had someone feed the wrench from the top while I held it on the bolt from the bottom. Same effect... :shrug:
UrbnCougar33
04-08-2004, 08:36 PM
i finally got it off. but it wasn't how you told me i should do it. the problem i was having was that i didn't have any room to turn the wrench or ratchet. i tried everything. then i realized that the picture in the shop manual shows the bolt head facing towards the fender well. mine wasn't. so i had to take the distributor off try to get a socket on it that way. after a few minutes of fighting the socket onto the bolt i finally got it off. it was definatly a task. so while i have it out i am going to buy a new alternator. no one good figure out if it was the voltage regulator or the alternator. so i am replacing them both.
yssupkat
04-11-2004, 10:46 PM
glad you finally got that bolt off! :thumbsup: i'm with you on replacing everything while you have it apart :) best of luck!
UrbnCougar33
04-12-2004, 11:05 AM
now that the alternator and voltage regulator are in, the check engine light has come on once again. this time it is saying manufacture's emission control. thats all it says. anyone have any ideas on what it could be? also at the great time, the past two nights i have been working on reinstalling the stereo. it really isn't as hard as i thought. there have been a few minor mishaps but nothing serious. and since it is raining today and i do not have to work, hopefully i can get it finished up by tonight.
yssupkat
04-12-2004, 12:06 PM
sounds to me like you need to have the car scanned with the OBII. take it to an autozone and i do believe they will scan it for free. :shrug:
Yup- You need to be more specific with the error code- It could be one of I think 25 Pxxxx codes that deals with emissions.