Tweet
I was bummed today after leaving thoughts at Dean's funeral online guestbook. I figured what better way to follow that than to work on my car. And one of them always needs something!
I had a new alternator belt to install and put Twinstiva up on the ramps. It's not difficult, but kind of a pain. I wish I had permanent ramps in my backyard. How nice would that be?
On the other hand, I've often wondered if I could get to the lower alternator bolt (14mm, where it pivots off the engine block hole) from up top instead of having to get underneath. This would be especially nice for emergency repair/adjustment "on the road."
I bet some of you more experienced mechanics do this anyway, but I didn't know if I could or not. I figured it was possible. So today I tried.
First I used my usual long handled box end wrench. At around 11" or so, it was too long and the firewall and other parts limited any movement.
Next I tried my large Craftsman socket wrench. Same thing, only it was even bulkier than the first tool and the socket added more space in the wrong way.
So then I tried my Craftsman combination wrench. It measures almost exactly 7" long.
First I felt for the pivot bolt head, which was easy to find, since I'm familiar with doing alternator and belt replacements. Then I fit the 7" wrench on and was able to undo the bolt till it was loose! SUCCESS!
(Yes, I had already put her up on the ramps, but I didn't need to.)
Belt got changed and I was able to just as easily tighten the pivot bolt. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
I could've done it all from up top, with no ramps.
From now on, I will. The new belt will undoubtedly need tightening in the next day or two and I won't be as lazy, knowing now how easy it will be.
Now if the alternator needs replaced, it might be easier to do that from both top and bottom, but if you're not juggling a loose alternator, this will work fine, and using a short (7" long) wrench should prevent any chance of overtightening your pivot bolt.
(Perhaps DJ and Dean were prodding me to be a bit more creative for a change, too.)
Karl, feeling better
I had a new alternator belt to install and put Twinstiva up on the ramps. It's not difficult, but kind of a pain. I wish I had permanent ramps in my backyard. How nice would that be?
On the other hand, I've often wondered if I could get to the lower alternator bolt (14mm, where it pivots off the engine block hole) from up top instead of having to get underneath. This would be especially nice for emergency repair/adjustment "on the road."
I bet some of you more experienced mechanics do this anyway, but I didn't know if I could or not. I figured it was possible. So today I tried.
First I used my usual long handled box end wrench. At around 11" or so, it was too long and the firewall and other parts limited any movement.
Next I tried my large Craftsman socket wrench. Same thing, only it was even bulkier than the first tool and the socket added more space in the wrong way.
So then I tried my Craftsman combination wrench. It measures almost exactly 7" long.
First I felt for the pivot bolt head, which was easy to find, since I'm familiar with doing alternator and belt replacements. Then I fit the 7" wrench on and was able to undo the bolt till it was loose! SUCCESS!
(Yes, I had already put her up on the ramps, but I didn't need to.)
Belt got changed and I was able to just as easily tighten the pivot bolt. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
I could've done it all from up top, with no ramps.
From now on, I will. The new belt will undoubtedly need tightening in the next day or two and I won't be as lazy, knowing now how easy it will be.
Now if the alternator needs replaced, it might be easier to do that from both top and bottom, but if you're not juggling a loose alternator, this will work fine, and using a short (7" long) wrench should prevent any chance of overtightening your pivot bolt.
(Perhaps DJ and Dean were prodding me to be a bit more creative for a change, too.)
Karl, feeling better
Comment