Hi All,
I'm in a heck of a bind on my 99. Just trying to get the alternator out, wanting to slide the AC pump forward a little, I snapped the heads off the bolts. Yup, all 4. After the first one I figured if I got 3 out then I'd deal with it, after the second one, I was just pissed so I got the impact wrench and there went the other two.


Any suggestions...? Should that pump slide on those headless bolts? Or is there some thread engagement on the pump itself?


Thanks
John

 

No thread on the compressor. It should slide out.

 

Those are long bolts. I hope you have enough room to slide it off. Otherwise, you'll have to slide what you can, then cut the bolts.

 

Indeed, my friend, I'm figuring it might slide enough to get a cutting wheel in there. Then I should be able to drill and back the ends out.

Just to start the "slide" is likely to be challenging. air hammer with a chisel point? Kind of wedge it in behind...?

I was laying under there quite a while wondering how I get into these situations and it seems like maybe I can remove the bracket the AC compressor is bolted to. Seems like there's 3 bolts and a little "strap." Those bolt heads are larger and it's steel on steel.

Thanks guys
John

 

Or don't worry about drilling them out....Go to the boneyard and get another a/c compressor mount and the 4 bolts!

 

^That is a good idea. I would go with that if I were you.

 

You might need to get a new AC compressor bracket, this hold the compressor to the engine and the 4 long bolts along with it, i have both parts if you need them, 917-442-1775

 

Alot of brackets just seating there with no compressor in the way...

 

When i had my alternator done the mechanic did not touch them bolts because of what could happen ...He just pulled the radiator out and got the alternator threw the top ... I have posted it here but everybody laugh ..I guess if you live in a rust belt area it seems to be the solution

 

I don't know how to get to the bottom alternator bolt. It's obviously possible, but it's blind. The Y pipe is right there, etc. FSM says to slide the A/C pump forward, your guy must have experience! I did pull the fan out.

 

Not hard 2 remove!!

 

Please share your wisdom! I have read a lot on here but getting that bottom bolt seems to be the trick.

 

The alternator bottom bolt was difficult to remove (for me anyway). I used a flex head wrench and got it out after 15 minutes. Just put the wrench blind and turn. Sometimes, reaching in via your fingers helps giving you an idea where the bolt head is. I had to work blind because I could not see the bolt head at all.

 

14MM, and from underneath, correct? Did you slide your AC pump forward a little?
Thanks!

 

IIRC, there was plenty of room for a box wrench in there, but you have to do it by feel. I did slide my compressor forward.

When you put the new alternator in, make sure the spacer on the right side is pushed in, so the configuration matches the old one. Mine came with the spacer sticking out. I figured it was supposed to slide in when the bolt was tightened down, but the bolt can't come through far enough for the nut to bite on. I wasted way too much time until I figured that out. I could see the end of the bolt sticking out, which is what fooled me, but it wasn't quiiiiite far enough to grab. I completed a couple of lessons in the Rosetta Stone Advanced Profanity course that day...

 

I could get the ratcheting box end wrench on that head after a couple tries. I was going in at the wrong angle before. I never would have had to mess with the AC compressor at all. That's a frustrating learning curve.


Then I could slide all the way across to the other side of the car and get my arm up in there and pull the bolt out. Probably helped to have small hands and skinny arms.


I might do a Write Up on the alternator. The one I tried to follow and FSM leave out some key points. Taking the pictures is what will slow me down.


Now I plan to rebuild that alternator. Getting it apart will probably be challenging. The pulley doesn't even spin. If I hadn't already bought the new innards I might go conventional and swap it for a "new" one. I guess I like it better when things are difficult.
Thanks guys

 

I'll be calling about the parts, but how do I get that AC compressor to move?? The mounting plate has 1 bolt that is totally inaccessible with the pump on there. FSM diagram confirms. I suppose I'll take a burr on a die grinder and make SURE the "heads" (ends now) of the 4 bolts are really smaller than the holes. Do you have a belt tensioner? I snapped off the "U-Bolt" learning that you need to loosen the pulley nut first.


Is this a scenario to use heat? Probably wouldn't hurt? Then keep pounding on it...