Alternator advice please...and thank you!

[test4echo]

Ok, 92 Z34 nuff said....hehe

 

I already had it replaced last year. Cost me 700 bucks.

It has died again.

 

Somethin burnt out probably a bearing cause it started to squeel like a pig, AND I saw smoke.

 

So, I went to this Link,

http://www.angelfire.com/ca2/34Performance/alternator.html

 

Tried it that way.

I don't have the new alt yet, so I don't know WHERE the back bolt is.

For the life of me, I can't figure out HOW he got not only the back botl out, but the main live power line as well.

I can bearly get my fingers on it, let alone get a wrench or socket on it.

Seems the electrical connect won't get outta my way either.

 

So, I'm pretty sure i can squeeze the ALT out by removing the tie rod,

I just need some tips as to what tools to use and HOW to get at the back bolt.

 

I'd rather go buy tools just for this job then take it in to get done.

 

Any help would be terrific, thanks,

 

Test,

[DaveFromColorado]

http://www.w-body.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=30225

 

all the info should be there for ya.

 

--Dave.

[test4echo]

Hey thanks DaveFromColorado,

 

Having issues getting that damn castle nut off the tie rod.

Even with an impact its not budging.

 

Its is to the Left to losen it right?....lol

 

Thanks for your help.

[DaveFromColorado]

should be a standard (left to loosen) thread on there.

 

--Dave.

[test4echo]

Yep just standard.

Only reason I asked is because I CRACKED a High Impact 18mm socket trying to get thing off.

 

Went and bought another Socket and FINALLY after hitting it with an Impact for 10 minutes it came loose.

Now if only the Tie rod would pop out....lol

I don't even want to think about how seized the subframe bolts are gonna be..

 

And to think this is the "Easy" part..shit

 

Test,

[SigEpCutlass]

since you said it cost $700, I'm assuming you had someone install it for you. don't you have a warranty on it? I know when my alt. died I replaced it with a Bosch that had a lifetime warranty. If it dies I bring it back to pep boys with the paperwork from the original sale, and I get a new one for $0. I find having that warranty is great considering how notorious our cars are for going through alternators. I don't know what you had put in or anything, but I'm pretty sure that standard for most alternators. Ya might want to check on that.

[jeremy]

most warranties like that only cover that part itself, not the labor to remove/install the new one.

[SigEpCutlass]

oh yea I know jeremy! If he can atleast get a new part free I'm sure that would help "ease" some of his current suffering. lol

[test4echo]

Hehe,

 

The 90 bucks for a new alt is peanuts. I don't mind paying that.

 

However, I cannot even get the tie rod off.

A Tie rod tool (the fork style) will NOT work.

I tried a sledge hammer aaginst the puller, still did not bugde one feckin bit.

The Fork puller is completly in as far as it go, still no movement from the tie rod.

 

Its pretty frustrating when you can't even get to the alt because of bolts or tie

rods that won't come out.

 

What else can I use?

 

Test,

[DaveFromColorado]

put the tie rod back together, and your car back together, take it to a shop and have them replace that one tie-rod end for ya, and get an alignment at the same time - that's what I'd do at that point, because if it's gonna take that much force to get it out, it's probably going bad anyway, and any time you hit it with a pickle fork, you can pretty much call the thing junk.

 

--Dave.

[test4echo]

DaveFromColorado,

 

Yup, I plan on replacing it for sure. Other side to.

 

Think this idea would work?

 

Here's the idea on how to pop that stubborn tapered tie rod end out of the steering arm. Try this and stop bashing those threads to death.

 

Instead, loosen the tie rod end nut a couple turns. Put a jack under the end of the bolt / nut, and jack till the tire just barely comes off the ground so the weight is on the tapered end. Don't remove the tire! Now, take that trusty hammer and hit the SIDE of the steering arm where the tie rod end goes through. In about 5 whacks or less it should "pop!" out. Never destroy another tie rod end again!

 

What if the threaded end points up, instead of down so you can't get a jack under it? This trick works so well that with a bit of leverage from that high-lift jack handle, you can pop it out that way too.

 

How come it works? Instead of bashing the threaded end to death, you are putting pressure on the end, while setting up a vibration in the metal. The bit of "good vibes" and the weight of the vehicle does the hard work for you!

 

 

I carefully try this idea.

 

 

Test,

[White93z34]

i guess i really lucked out when i put the alternator on my z34, i put a cheep one that was used on, i had it on my old cutlass, and transfered it to the z, and like 30k later its still kicking i think the alt has about 40k on it actually.

[test4echo]

Thanks for rubbing it in White....

 

I'm not afraid of this car....the bitch is just fighting me every step of the way...

 

I've done alot to this car, from pulling the heads to the O2 sensor.

 

I won't give up, I'll fix it if it kills me.

It may well do that........

 

That fecking Alt is coming out if its the Last thing I do.

 

Test,

[SigEpCutlass]

go get'er done test lol

[test4echo]

Well, after much horror......many set backs....that prick is out.

 

A tip for Stuck tie rods.......(Which was the worst part of this)

 

A simple propane torch, 5 minutes, and a Glass of COLD water that bitch will slide out easy.

 

Being the nOoB I am...I wish I had know this a week ago....

 

 

Ah well Live and learn....

 

Test,

[test4echo]

Yea, its me again.

 

Thanks for the help so far, its gotten me this far.

 

Just one more question should do the trick.....

 

Now that everything is ready, I have just that one Back bolt to get out of the Alt and all will be done.

 

I can get my 10mm wrench on the bolt, i'm just having a hard time getting any leverage to crack the bolt, so i can finger losen it out.

 

As you know theres barely enough room to even get a hand up there.

 

Any tips or advice from experience you can offer as to how you got it cracked loose?

Was it a plain 10mm wrench or did you have a specialty wrench?

 

Sorry to be a pain, but I do appreciate your help.

 

I'm sure most of you wondered why I didn't just take it in.

I can't...no money, but also because I NEED to learn this.

I'm sure my new Alt is gonna die just the same...

The nightmare of this the first time around will pay off later.

 

I've had my camera with me, so hopefully I can write up a Detailed how-to for noobs.

 

Something more than just a few pics.

Those walkthroughs are great for the more experienced guys, but for a noob, it doesn't quite relay just how much this process entails.

 

Someone mentioned a trap door in the pass side floor....THAT would be a great Idea!!

 

Thanks, I hope I haven't worn out my welcome....

 

Test,