Alternator problems

[Habib86]

Hey guys was wondering if anyone could help me. 2 days ago when I was driving my car TI started squeal whenever I turned the wheel.

Lifted the bonnet, drive belt looked okay, than to my horror  , I saw that while my alternator had the top bracket to the engine block well secured, underneath their is a hole for I believe an extremely long bolt.

Because this bolt is missing, (God knows how it didnt come out and get stuck in anything) the alternator pivets a bit to the left and right meaning the drive belt moves as well. 

I went to Nissan and they werent sure but they think its a bolt they need to order from Japan meaning 1 week wait.

I tried wreckers to no luck, A1 Nissan tried (bloke was awesome) and he ripped a two small bolts from a CA20E alternator which didnt fit. He gave me a long bolt and told me to get one custom made from a bolt place nearby.

Just wanted to know if anyone know if its one long bolt or two small bolts.

BTW I noticed my alternator said Mitsubishi as well. 

Cheers guys.

[eurisko]

Hehehehee

Mitsubishi make altenators, regulators and a bunch of electrical equipment. Dont be surprised to find alot more mitsubishi parts under the bonnet.

Talk to Chris, SSS or any of the Ka guys, they should know.

[Kranzy]

Ok i can relate to this because believe it or not, this was my exact problem when i bought my car.

you will find two bolts that look like this




Thats what is missing im assuming?

You cant really tell from this pic



but if your car has aircon its the same setup as the compressor so if you go to a wreckers and pick up two of the aircon bolts, problem solvered!

Thats how i fixed mine, when i found out what the problem was.

[chr1S]

I'll see if i got a few spare bolts dude

pm me ur name and address.

[Resin]

if ur insydney go to pick and pay less there are a few ka's laying around........the bolt would be free they dont charge for that sorta stuff, even when u say u have it.

[Habib86]

Well heres an update, thanks first of all for the prompt repsone and thankx for the offer.

Problem is, my mechanic tried to fit two new bolts and they wouldnt even fit, so he too off the alternator and saw that both bolts have broken with the tips still stuck in the bolt holes. He couldnt remove it so he recommended I take it to an Engine reconditioner cuz he said they can drill into it and use something called an Ezy Remove or something to unscrew it.

Fortunatley he did tighten the main bracket so its more rigid but gotta get it done soon. 

I know of some reconditioners in my Area of Mansfield (Brisbane) anyone know any suggested places (alternator repairers etc)

Cheers guys, thanks again Chris. 

[Asephx]

I had this problem not too long ago...
The bolt on the left (the longer bolt) of my alternator had snapped off and it was being held on by the one on the right (which is the shorter one)... i had to therefore drill out the snapped off bolt from the frame holding on the alternator

If you dont get this fixed very soon then the area around the bolts holding on alternator will snap (in the area shown in the second of Kanzy's pictures) which means either a new alternator or getting it rewelded (if possible)

My steps to fix this is as followed:
1. Removed the alternator completely
2. Remove the big metal thing that holds the alternator to the engine block (this was about 5 bolts i think)
3. Got my drill and drilled into the snapped bolt. I went in far enough that the drill bit was able to catch the bolt, which therefore made it twist and come out
4. Bolt the frame back onto the engine block... (minus the bolt explained in the next step)
(now here comes the 'dodgy' part that will fix it till you get the bolt)
5. One of the 5 or so bolts used to hold this bracket onto the block is the perfect size for your left hand side of the alternator
6. Use this long bolt to hold on the alternator

I know taking one bolt from something to use on another is a little dodgy, however, mines been this way for about 3 months now and ive had no issues with this bolt missing from the bracket (seeings as there are about 4 other bolts holding it on)... Plus finding a new alternator is a pain in the ass plus expensive and anything that will stop is from braking is going to be a great help... The alternator snapping is going to happen far earlier than the effects from the missing bolt you took from the bracket so it will give you a little more time to find this bolt

i hope all this made sense... im at work and typed it in a hurry and from memory

[Habib86]

Cheers bro will try it when can, it made sense.

Just a quick question when reconnecting the alternator is their anything special in terms of positives and negatives wires etc.

Massive help tho, will do it, in the mean time back to Brisbane buses lol.

Now if only I could find that electric drill charger..... lol

[Asephx]

All I did was disconnect the battery (I should have looked but it began as just tinkering around and ended up in removing a poop load of stuff)...
There is a scan of the service manual on the forums that should tell you if you need to do anything special

Hehe yeah I had the same problem with my drill when I was doing it... It ran out just as I got the bolt out far enough to grab it with the plyers... If the bolt doesn't twist the right way (becuase you will be drilling in a way that will screw the bolt in) you may need an extractor tool, which are about $5 at bunnings or a reverse drill bit

[Habib86]

Hey bro quick question, did you have trouble drilling into the snapped ends? Cuz I got the plate off, but try as I might cant drill into the ends, I have been using a electric hammer drill with different types of drill pieces to no avail?

Any Suggestions?

Thanks man.

Btw Chris I may have to hit you up for some bolts.

[oldn_tired]

hey i have an alternator mounting bracket from a U12 corsair sitting on the shelf yours if you want it no charge pick up from stafford brisbane

[Asephx]

Hey bro quick question, did you have trouble drilling into the snapped ends? Cuz I got the plate off, but try as I might cant drill into the ends, I have been using a electric hammer drill with different types of drill pieces to no avail?

Any Suggestions?

Thanks man.

Btw Chris I may have to hit you up for some bolts.

Nope no problems drilling in... What kind of trouble are you having? you dont have to drill all the way through the bolt, just a few mm should do it
What seems to be the problem with the drilling? I was using an elec drill that was running out of batts and it was going thru fine... is it in reverse? hehe

[Habib86]

Hey Asephx I was laughing so hard when you said drilling in reverse, I just had an image of a thick headed person doing that.

Nah man dont know eh, when I drill it barely drills, it doesnt even make much of scratch and thats with different types of drill bits. Will try again tho.

Ay old n tired your a lifesaver, I will PM you once I tried drilling again whether I will grab the bracket or not.

Just wanna say thanks guys. 

[Habib86]

Hey old n tired, when wud it be ok to come get the bracket?

[hrmmmm]

Nah man dont know eh, when I drill it barely drills, it doesnt even make much of scratch and thats with different types of drill bits. Will try again tho.

I know it probably dosn't matter now but: I would say that your drill bits are blunt