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TECHNICAL MOTOBRICK WRENCHING In Remembrance of Inge K. => The Motobrick Workshop => Topic started by: Brad-Man on November 16, 2013, 05:16:31 PM

Title: Alternator removal - ran into a snag...
Post by: Brad-Man on November 16, 2013, 05:16:31 PM
It appears that the allen head bolt to the inside of the alternator is stripped on the inside.

This after soaking w/PB Blaster before trying to get it out....

Verified by taking the starter out and looking at it.

Anyone have any suggestions other that dropping the engine/tranny so I can get a straight shot at it w/an impact driver and a back-out bit of some sort?

Any suggestions would be welcome...

TIA,

Brad
Title: Re: Alternator removal - ran into a snag...
Post by: Grim on November 16, 2013, 06:24:09 PM
I'd think at worse you would need to pull the rear fender and have enough room to get at it. Big easy out might do it. Maybe you could drive a SAE Allen that's just bigger then the metric into it. Harbor freight has some reasonably priced socket Allen's and I think they have easy out bolt extractors. 

Worse case you can drill off the head. That will let you pull the alternator and leave some of the shank exposed once the alternator is out of the way that you can grab with pliers. I had to do that on a Jetta that all three Allen's stripped on the crank pully.

Be liberal with the anti seize on re assembly. 
Title: Re: Alternator removal - ran into a snag...
Post by: Brad-Man on November 16, 2013, 06:51:07 PM
Hi Grim!

What part of Atlanta are you in?

I have easy-outs already.

I'll have to go look and see if I can rig some bracing to keep pressure on the easy out when I am turning it w/a breaker bar.

I've been thinking about it since posting, but haven't been  back to look at it - that'll have to wait 'til tomorrow.
Title: Re: Alternator removal - ran into a snag...
Post by: Grim on November 16, 2013, 07:21:56 PM
2miles from you if the location in your profile is acurate. I live behind Frankie's on Canton rd.
Title: Re: Alternator removal - ran into a snag...
Post by: Brad-Man on November 16, 2013, 08:19:27 PM
Dude!

I keep forgetting which forum has the maps....

We're gonna have to meet up someplace!

Do you have a favorite watering hole?
Title: Re: Alternator removal - ran into a snag...
Post by: Grim on November 16, 2013, 10:27:32 PM
Really kind of a homebody but yeah we we should get together. There is a few bricks around that are also on the forum. I forget his nick but there is a guy in villa rica that dropped me a msg wanting to do a meet and greet there is a another forum member in Gwinnett or flowery branch.

I happened to stop at mountain motor sports today. There was a brick parked outside that was black. That you?
Title: Re: Alternator removal - ran into a snag...
Post by: Scott_ on November 16, 2013, 11:14:19 PM
Quote
Maybe you could drive a SAE Allen that's just bigger then the metric into it.

Another possibility would be to try and drive a "torx" bit into it. Might be an easier fit than an allen head.
Title: Re: Alternator removal - ran into a snag...
Post by: wmax351 on November 17, 2013, 12:07:08 AM
I have taken a cheap screw extractor and ground off some of the point, so that I can tap it into the allen head, without the hole needing to be very deep. Sometimes I drill it to make it round, clean, and slightly deeper. Maybe try a 7mm drill bit.



Title: Re: Alternator removal - ran into a snag...
Post by: Brad-Man on November 17, 2013, 10:04:24 AM
Can't be med - I'm a Silver, and the alternator is shot...

I'm a bit of a homebody too.

I've only been to ~6 restaurants in the area in 15 years and 2 pubs.

I figured someone other than me would know the best watering hole in the area...
Title: Re: Alternator removal - ran into a snag...
Post by: Grim on November 17, 2013, 04:33:26 PM
haha Well I grew up in East Cobb Johnson Ferry, Lower Roswell then moved here nearly 20 years ago...wait its been 20 LOL.
Winston's on Sandy plains comes to mind as really close. Use to hit there with my Bud that lived in Hasty acres on occasion before he moved.
Hemingways on the Square or MacCrackens Irish pub just off the Square on Atlanta St. If coffee is more your thing "Cool beans" just off the northwest corner of the Square usually has a good cup..
Title: Re: Alternator removal - ran into a snag...
Post by: tg4360 on November 17, 2013, 05:59:49 PM
MCMASTER Carr has actual cap screw extractors.

Just search for them on their site. 
Title: Re: Alternator removal - ran into a snag...
Post by: TS87KLT on November 17, 2013, 07:04:04 PM
I find that a good smack will often free a stuck allen head enough to get it turning.

Use a punch or a 3/8 extension or something big enough to not go in the hex, and give it a hell of a smack with a hammer once or twice.

Lots of allen and torx hardware on newer cars, often threaded into aluminum, so the dissimilar metal corrosion really can grip them in.
Title: Re: Alternator removal - ran into a snag...
Post by: Brad-Man on November 18, 2013, 09:32:14 AM
Grim:

I used to live off Lower Roswell in High school/college days...Used to ride dirt bikes back in the day when they were building Atlanta Country Club Estates...

Been here 15 years now.

Winston's was one of the pubs I have been in (being closest to me), but swore I would never go there again because they pissed me off...

Te other pub was The Place there on Sandy Plains between the Hwy 5 Connector and Hwy 5.

I don't do caffiene/coffee and never developed a taste for tea, but do like a good single malt scotch now and then.  Never much of a beer drinker except to chase tequila in my younger days when I was tearing up West Texas...

Let's get together this coming weekend for lunch or just a libation.

Guys:

Thanks for all the ideas.

If the normal extractors don't work that I have after heating and banging on it, I'll get a set of the extractors that fit over the bolt head...