Alternator removal (again!) - 2001 2.0i

[James_G]

After 2.5 years of faultless motoring the Accord blotted its copy book today and the alternator has given up.

Rather than pay somebody else to replace it I've decided to send it off to be reconditioned. Trouble is, I can't access the last bolt to remove it.

I've checked this previous thread here and it's the lower bolt that I'm having trouble with. I can get a 12mm combination spanner on it, but I can't put enough leverage through it. I've tried a ratchet too, but there is literally just 10 degrees of angle to rotate through which isn't enough to get it started, i.e it needs more than 10 degrees to "crack".

Has anybody else had any luck with any other methods? Honda reckon this job would take them 0.6hrs which I just can't believe given how fiddly it is.

Here's the offending item

 

[BlueVTEC]

After 2.5 years of faultless motoring the Accord blotted its copy book today and the alternator has given up.

Rather than pay somebody else to replace it I've decided to send it off to be reconditioned. Trouble is, I can't access the last bolt to remove it.

I've checked this previous thread here and it's the lower bolt that I'm having trouble with. I can get a 12mm combination spanner on it, but I can't put enough leverage through it. I've tried a ratchet too, but there is literally just 10 degrees of angle to rotate through which isn't enough to get it started, i.e it needs more than 10 degrees to "crack".

Has anybody else had any luck with any other methods? Honda reckon this job would take them 0.6hrs which I just can't believe given how fiddly it is.

Here's the offending item

Take off the power steering pump belt, undo the couple of bolts holding the pump in place and simply lift it out the way. That's how I done mine back when it was F-powered! Bungee cord was useful to hold it in place.

And just to add, I had it out and the new one fitted in 30 minutes or so. It really is that easy!

 

[James_G]

Take off the power steering pump belt, undo the couple of bolts holding the pump in place and simply lift it out the way. That's how I done mine back when it was F-powered! Bungee cord was useful to hold it in place.

And just to add, I had it out and the new one fitted in 30 minutes or so. It really is that easy!

Thanks for the response. Your suggestion got me thinking about it, and in the end I was able to do it with a 3/8 ratchet, long 12mm socket and a metal pipe over the ratchet handle for extra leverage. Once cracked, the lower nut could be removed by hand and it was off in 10 minutes. Here she is on the kitchen worktop.

Now all boxed up ready to sent off for reconditioning. Never had it done before but at £80 it's by far the most cost effective option. I suspect it's just the regulator that's gone, but I'll report back when I find out.

 

[James_G]

So headed down to Portsmouth this morning to collect my reconditioned alternator from www.alternatorman.co.uk who had done a great job on it for my £80. As suspected it was the regulator at fault but he also fitted some new bearings and brushes as well.

Fitting was the reversal of removal as they say, but a little easier once you know how it all fits together. All working now which is a relief, but there's a little bit of squeal on start up and the first move off the drive. I'm ***uming this is because the belt isn't quite tight enough. Currently there's about 10mm deflection on the belt when pushed - too much or too little?

 

[BlueVTEC]

So headed down to Portsmouth this morning to collect my reconditioned alternator from www.alternatorman.co.uk who had done a great job on it for my £80. As suspected it was the regulator at fault but he also fitted some new bearings and brushes as well.

Fitting was the reversal of removal as they say, but a little easier once you know how it all fits together. All working now which is a relief, but there's a little bit of squeal on start up and the first move off the drive. I'm ***uming this is because the belt isn't quite tight enough. Currently there's about 10mm deflection on the belt when pushed - too much or too little?

Yeah I would say 10mm is a tiny bit too much. Not much relevance, but my H22 belt barely moves...Never squeals!

I would try tightening it a bit and see how you get on. Don't go too tight though!