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what in the holy fcuk (alternator bolt snapped)

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Old 11-04-2012, 12:17 PM
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what in the holy **** (alternator bolt snapped)

so im driving the other day and i heard this loud *** ****in snap from the front end of my car. but i had a 40 minute drive ahead of me so i thought id baby it home. there were no noises so i figured i ran over something. well i forgot all about it and just remembered this morning, so i went to inspect what it might have been. well look what i find...



abuhhhhhhhh. how is my belt not squeeling/falling off? and its gotta be ruining my alternator. ********asspiss! never seen a bolt just snap off like that in my life. i assume courtesy parts has these bolts for sale? but now i gotta drive around like this till it gets here and i cant even order it till tuesday. WOE IS MEH
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Old 11-04-2012, 02:30 PM
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no one even laughing at my misfortune? weird.
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Old 11-04-2012, 02:37 PM
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that alternator looks like it was replaced at some point? did you install the alternator yourself or someone else did?
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Old 11-04-2012, 02:43 PM
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i did it about 6 months ago, and the bolt was in there fine, and definitely not crossthreaded or over tightened. NO idea how it just snapped off one day.
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Old 11-04-2012, 02:45 PM
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i really doubt over tightening the belt would cause this to happen amiright?
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Old 11-04-2012, 03:41 PM
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I don't understand why the bolt would break. I would question if it was the correct bolt and also if that bolt is what you removed to swap your alternator because it is not necessary.
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Old 11-04-2012, 03:44 PM
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Originally Posted by GGENIUS
i really doubt over tightening the belt would cause this to happen amiright?
ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, you want the honest answer or the watered down version??? your taillight bulbs overheated resulting in the bolt loosening from the screw, end result " breakage" $hit just happens man, you ever hear of murphy's law??? anything that can go wrong, will!!
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Old 11-04-2012, 04:14 PM
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thats wierd but how come you want a oem bolt from courtesynissan if you can just use any kind of bolt?
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Old 11-04-2012, 04:24 PM
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Use a better grade bolt or OEMs , car s a 97 right ! something can snap anytime .
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Old 11-04-2012, 04:25 PM
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Zip ties. All you need.
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Old 11-04-2012, 04:55 PM
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Originally Posted by ChrisMan287
Zip ties. All you need.

LOL , you bad boy ..
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Old 11-04-2012, 04:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Trini Boom
I don't understand why the bolt would break. I would question if it was the correct bolt and also if that bolt is what you removed to swap your alternator because it is not necessary.
when i did my alternator swap, it was my first time on a max, so i undid all 3 bolts, not knowing that you only have to undo the other one, and the big bolt with the nut on the end. but i know i didnt accidentally mix up two of the bolts. my guess is it was just old and weakened for some reason.
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Old 11-04-2012, 04:58 PM
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Oddly enough bolts can back out. About three weeks ago I noticed the same bolt had backed out on mine. Now had I not been under the hood I am sure it would have snaped or just fallen out given enough time.....Kahkah happens.
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Old 11-04-2012, 05:00 PM
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Originally Posted by ChrisMan287
Zip ties. All you need.
are you surious tho? i would question a ziptie on holding something up that supports the belt. zipties dryrot, and snap quite easily when they do.
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Old 11-04-2012, 05:01 PM
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Originally Posted by sprocketser
Use a better grade bolt or OEMs , car s a 97 right ! something can snap anytime .
this is why i wanna order the replacement bolt from courtesy. its only 2 bucks, and i believe maybe the original bolt wasnt the oem bolt that goes there. mighta caused the snizzap.
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Old 11-04-2012, 05:03 PM
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Originally Posted by ShogunTX
Oddly enough bolts can back out. About three weeks ago I noticed the same bolt had backed out on mine. Now had I not been under the hood I am sure it would have snaped or just fallen out given enough time.....Kahkah happens.
thats true. im just counting my blessings that the belt is still somehow running without a squeal or problem, while theres an inch gap from where the alternators actually supposed to be sitting.
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Old 11-04-2012, 05:04 PM
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If you don t want your bolt to loosen , add some Loctite to it .
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Old 11-04-2012, 05:05 PM
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Originally Posted by max ride 41
ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, you want the honest answer or the watered down version??? your taillight bulbs overheated resulting in the bolt loosening from the screw, end result " breakage" $hit just happens man, you ever hear of murphy's law??? anything that can go wrong, will!!
hey man, i was wondering, could you give me a write up with detailed pics on how to put this bolt back in? i know lefty loosey righty tighty but.........
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Old 11-04-2012, 05:14 PM
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Originally Posted by GGENIUS
when i did my alternator swap, it was my first time on a max, so i undid all 3 bolts, not knowing that you only have to undo the other one, and the big bolt with the nut on the end. but i know i didnt accidentally mix up two of the bolts. my guess is it was just old and weakened for some reason.
Could it be that the alternator belt was on so tight that it was pulling against that bolt all the time until it finally let go?
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Old 11-04-2012, 05:16 PM
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The belt would ve break first .
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Old 11-04-2012, 05:30 PM
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Originally Posted by sprocketser
The belt would ve break first .
Perhaps.....just throwing it out there
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Old 11-04-2012, 05:39 PM
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Anyways , think what you want , unless there s a weakness on the bolt itself .
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Old 11-04-2012, 06:36 PM
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Originally Posted by sprocketser
Anyways , think what you want , unless there s a weakness on the bolt itself .
or its original and probably broke due to age. as far as pics genius, i know you dont need a write up with pics smart a$$.....
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Old 11-04-2012, 08:18 PM
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Originally Posted by max ride 41
or its original and probably broke due to age. as far as pics genius, i know you dont need a write up with pics smart a$$.....
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Old 11-04-2012, 09:24 PM
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IMO it is because of the install, usually is. You either overtightened the belt or overtightened the bolt, perhaps both. 17 years of heating and cooling takes a toll on even ARP bolts. This time check the FSM for deflection specs. The belt really doesn't have to be that tight.

And to the person who said why get an OEM bolt.....yes you should use home depot bolts from now on. Super reliable grade 2 or 3 is best
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Old 11-04-2012, 09:42 PM
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alternator delete





Just keep a few batteries
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Old 11-06-2012, 01:29 PM
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Originally Posted by ShocknAwe
IMO it is because of the install, usually is. You either overtightened the belt or overtightened the bolt, perhaps both. 17 years of heating and cooling takes a toll on even ARP bolts. This time check the FSM for deflection specs. The belt really doesn't have to be that tight.

And to the person who said why get an OEM bolt.....yes you should use home depot bolts from now on. Super reliable grade 2 or 3 is best
i dont believe i overtightened it, or the belt though. theres no way you could tighten the belt that tight i dont think.. i believe the bolt was ****ty to begin with, because the alternator i replaced wasnt the original. but all will be solved soon. im just surprised it runs with no noises.
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Old 11-06-2012, 01:30 PM
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Originally Posted by CallMeThatOneGuy
alternator delete





Just keep a few batteries
ill delete your face
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Old 11-06-2012, 06:53 PM
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Originally Posted by GGENIUS
.....the alternator i replaced wasnt the original......
That says alot right there..........
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Old 11-06-2012, 07:09 PM
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bolts will sometimes back out on their own from vibration and whatnot, use blue loc-tite. it'll hold the bolt in place but make the bolt removable if you need to take it out again
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Old 11-07-2012, 06:30 AM
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bout to, even though it didnt use it from factory, looks like i should just take that precaution. also forgot i should just go to the Jy and pocket the bolt from an alty lol. dumbass me.
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Old 11-07-2012, 06:30 AM
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Originally Posted by dwapenyi
That says alot right there..........
chyeah you right.
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