Alternator bracket bolt broke

[nicknorth11]

My alt. belt started to squeal a few days ago and I finally got around to tightening it today. I noticed the bolt that holds the alt. bracket, (behind the p.s. pump pulley), is broken. I can, although I haven't, pull the bolt out with my fingers.

1) Where did the rest of the bolt go?
2) How bad is my situation?

Thanks guys,

Nick

 

[pj91gsx]

Its not bad. It sounds like maybe it came loose or you bolt broken, I could tell you if you had some good pics

 

[nicknorth11]

It's definately broken. It won't tighten at all. I could pull it out, but I need to leave it in so I can use the car to go buy a new bolt. Well, hell, I'll go pull it out.

 

[nicknorth11]

The rest is still in there, somewhere.

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So, what should I do? How bad is it?

 

[nicknorth11]

Ok guys, I was looking at the area of the broken bolt and it looks like nearly the entire bolt came out. Does anyone know how long this bolt is supposed to be? Does anyone know of a drill bit that works like an extractor, but opposite? Maybe I can get a "pusher" drill-bit and thread it out?

 

[pj91gsx]

well. I know I have that part but I dont use it. Instead of using that thing to tension the belt I push the alternator down and tighten the bolt that connects the bracket to the alternator.

 

[nicknorth11]

I think you're thinking of the wrong bolt. The one I'm talking about goes through the water pump and is necesary to tighten the belt.

 

[pj91gsx]

your right, but im pretty sure I have an extra one of those too.

 

[mentalTSiAWD]

EEEWWWWW. That stinks.
You will most likely need to remove your water pump to see what you are doing. Try to use a tiny screwdriver or scribe and turn it out. If not, they (Grainger Supply, and some other tool companies) make left hand drill bits. The flutes on them twist to the left instead of the the right (normal). You might get one of them to catch in the bolt and screw it back out. Easier to go to Autozone and get a screw extractor set and regular drill bits.

 

[pj91gsx]

yea. youll have to pull the water pump. I once broke a bolt at the water pump and used a hammer and a screw driver to unloosen it good luck.

 

[nicknorth11]

I'd like to avoid removing the water pump. If I can find an extractor that is long enough, I can raise the engine and get a drill down there enough to get the bolt out. The problem is all of the extractors I've found are around 2.5 inches. If I could find a drill bit that would work as a right handed extractor, I could drill it out a little easier.

If I have to take the water pump off, I'll put the broken bolt back in for another 2 weeks, when my new head will be in and I have to take the timing stuff off anyway.

 

[buddaboost]

The same thing happened to me than I bought the alt relocater kit. works better now my alternator doesn't over heat.

 

[luv2rallye]

Does anyone know how long this bolt is supposed to be?

It's 8 x 65mm. Make SURE you get exactly that - too short and it won't hold, too long and it breaks or you will crack something you don't want to crack (or just bottom out and hold nothing). I know from 1st hand experience. Many people put the wrong length bolt in and wish to god they didn't. Also torque it to no more than 17 ft.lbs or you will also wish you didn't (the other water pump bolts torque to 8.7-11 ft.lbs).

 

[pj91gsx]

It's 8 x 65mm. Make SURE you get exactly that - too short and it won't hold, too long and it breaks or you will crack something you don't want to crack (or just bottom out and hold nothing). I know from 1st hand experience. Many people put the wrong length bolt in and wish to god they didn't. Also torque it to no more than 17 ft.lbs or you will also wish you didn't (the other water pump bolts torque to 8.7-11 ft.lbs).

Or throw on some washers.