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Author Topic: How I didn't break an alternator bolt  (Read 1558 times)
Chrisj CMA
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Posts: 14769


Crestview (Panhandle) Florida


« on: January 29, 2018, 05:09:49 PM »

After reading Savago's Adventure, it dawned on me that I intended to remove all three alternator bolts on Bruce's bike and put them back in with antiseize

So, since I rode today and the engine was still warm I began.

Tap on the socket with a small hammer and the top and bottom bolts come out like butter.  That third one, the one Savago had trouble with loosened fine a couple turns then tightened right back up.  I could hear it screaming don't break me , lol.

So I put the thing back together and ran the motor some to get it hotter
  That gave me a turn or two more.  Then the stroke of genius, even though the dang bolt was far from out it was loose enough for me to be able to pry the alternator mount away from the engine exposing threads of the bolt near the middle of the bolt.  I dripped
Some penetrating oil in the Gap and then worked the bolt back and forth tight loose and applied oil in the Gap a couple more times.

Now the bolt was half way out but still stuck.  So once more with the oil and then a friend came over so I took a break for near an hour.

When I get back to the bike the bolt came right out.  I did have to clean some galled aluminum out of a small section of threads on the bolt, but the oil helped it come out without destroying more threads.

If the bolt didn't come out when it did my next move was going to be a little more oil and the heat gun. Didn't need it.

Antiseize and it threaded and tightened normally.

Dodged a bullet
« Last Edit: January 29, 2018, 05:28:03 PM by Chrisj CMA » Logged
BobB
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Posts: 1568


One dragon on the tail of another.


« Reply #1 on: January 29, 2018, 05:42:30 PM »

Ample time with penetrating oil is often the key.  I have yet to start my winter maintenance, one of the things to do is to check/replace the alternator brushes...
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Jess from VA
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Posts: 30409


No VA


« Reply #2 on: January 29, 2018, 05:51:27 PM »

You should have been a surgeon.   cooldude   

I know one thing, my dentist has nowhere near the patience you do.   (nurse, hand me those BIG pliers)

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Chrisj CMA
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Posts: 14769


Crestview (Panhandle) Florida


« Reply #3 on: January 29, 2018, 05:59:36 PM »

You should have been a surgeon.   cooldude   

I know one thing, my dentist has nowhere near the patience you do.   (nurse, hand me those BIG pliers)



Lol.  Funny thing is I WANTED to just power it out, I had to keep saying to myself patience, patience

It took over 2 hours but it was worth it
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RonW
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Posts: 1867

Newport Beach


« Reply #4 on: January 29, 2018, 06:00:49 PM »

Same thing with another bolt. Gave up trying to get a stubborn bolt to turn after applying a gallon of penetrating oil so walked away. Returned a few hours later and the bolt practically spun off by itself. Got me thinkin on letting the penetrating oil sit for a while.
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2000 Valkyrie Tourer
Savago
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Posts: 1994

Brentwood - CA


« Reply #5 on: January 29, 2018, 06:01:50 PM »

Chris

Excellent report!

It was exactly what happened with me: it started to turn, but then got stuck (and I used my gorilla hands to break it).
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Chrisj CMA
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Posts: 14769


Crestview (Panhandle) Florida


« Reply #6 on: January 29, 2018, 06:26:44 PM »

Chris

Excellent report!

It was exactly what happened with me: it started to turn, but then got stuck (and I used my gorilla hands to break it).


I may have done the same as you if I hadn't just read the horror you went through.  I wonder what's up with that one bolt?
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Savago
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Posts: 1994

Brentwood - CA


« Reply #7 on: January 29, 2018, 06:34:03 PM »

I may have done the same as you if I hadn't just read the horror you went through.  I wonder what's up with that one bolt?

Maybe it will collect more rain/dirt and be more prone to corrosion?

In any case, it would be great if mother Honda used anti-seize in those damn bolts.
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old2soon
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Posts: 23402

Willow Springs mo


« Reply #8 on: January 29, 2018, 08:26:59 PM »

Ever since I got the Phatt Ghurl every cursed bolt or nut I've removed at on time or nuther has been reinstalled with anti seize. First alt R & R started slow and easy. THAT slow and easy thing are lots easier said than done BUT it wurx!  cooldude Patience grasshopper.  2funny RIDE SAFE.
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Today is the tommorow you worried about yesterday. If at first you don't succeed screw it-save it for nite check.  1964  1968 U S Navy. Two cruises off Nam.
VRCCDS0240  2012 GL1800 Gold Wing Motor Trike conversion
indybobm
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Posts: 1600

Franklin, Indiana VRCC # 5258


« Reply #9 on: January 30, 2018, 03:41:05 AM »

I worked on alternator bolts after I read about people breaking them. You can also spray penetration oil in from the front side of the bolt and plug it with something to keep it from running out. Loosen the bolt a 1/4 turn, tighten back up, loosen again, tap it, etc. All three came out without a problem although two were tight.
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So many roads, so little time
VRCC # 5258
matt
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Posts: 577

Derry New Hampshire


« Reply #10 on: January 30, 2018, 04:08:08 AM »

Good work Jeff,  last year I broke top outer bolt. Other two have line up collars I believe that helps plus outer bolt is a thru hole. I put alternator back on, measured hole in alternator then got piece of steel rod and turned it down in lathe to fit tight in ear of alternator.  I drilled rod 1/8 that centered to broken bolt. Next drilled rod next bit size and so on. I was able to use original threads for bolt when done
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Hook#3287
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Brimfield, Ma


« Reply #11 on: January 30, 2018, 04:28:00 AM »

Great info Jeff cooldude

I've been lucky, haven't had to pull a alt yet.  (probably just jinxed myself)

I see that two bolts have dowel pins and one doesn't.

https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/honda/motorcycle/1998/gl1500c-a-valkyrie/alternator

Is the stubborn one, one of those that has a dowel?
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Chrisj CMA
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Posts: 14769


Crestview (Panhandle) Florida


« Reply #12 on: January 30, 2018, 04:55:56 AM »

Great info Jeff cooldude

I've been lucky, haven't had to pull a alt yet.  (probably just jinxed myself)

I see that two bolts have dowel pins and one doesn't.

https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/honda/motorcycle/1998/gl1500c-a-valkyrie/alternator

Is the stubborn one, one of those that has a dowel?

Dowel pins have nothing to do with it.  The bolt in question is in fact the one with no dowel pin.  Makes sense what has been said, that bolt is subject to more of the elements probably caused the corrosion

« Last Edit: January 30, 2018, 06:59:25 AM by Chrisj CMA » Logged
The emperor has no clothes
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Posts: 29945


« Reply #13 on: January 30, 2018, 05:25:02 AM »

Great info Jeff cooldude

I've been lucky, haven't had to pull a alt yet.  (probably just jinxed myself)

I see that two bolts have dowel pins and one doesn't.

https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/honda/motorcycle/1998/gl1500c-a-valkyrie/alternator

Is the stubborn one, one of those that has a dowel?
Grin yes you did just jinx yourself. You are going to love it.  Grin
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Bagger John - #3785
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Posts: 1952



« Reply #14 on: January 30, 2018, 05:43:12 AM »

How many miles on both bikes when this happened?

Were the alternators ever out of either one before?
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Chrisj CMA
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Posts: 14769


Crestview (Panhandle) Florida


« Reply #15 on: January 30, 2018, 06:46:21 AM »

How many miles on both bikes when this happened?

Were the alternators ever out of either one before?

As for mine,  it's a 97 with 60K. Don't think the alternator has been out ever.  It's due for it, that's one of the reasons I wanted to make sure them bolts were free
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Gryphon Rider
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2000 Tourer

Calgary, Alberta


« Reply #16 on: January 30, 2018, 07:15:17 AM »

You should have been a surgeon.   cooldude  

I know one thing, my dentist has nowhere near the patience you do.   (nurse, hand me those BIG pliers)
"Darn, tis tooth isn't coming!  Let's squirt some penetrating fluid in there and let the patient sit for a couple of hours.  If he's still here when we get back, I'm sure the tooth'll slide right out!"
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da prez
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Posts: 4357

. Rhinelander Wi. Island Lake Il.


« Reply #17 on: January 30, 2018, 07:22:52 AM »

  On a bolt removal, when a bolt comes out , remove ,clean and reinstall it. This keeps the alternator in alignment.   That is when you have a stubborn one. After all are removed , I run a thread cleaner thru  and clean out the mount thru holes. Anti-seize is used sparingly.

                                      da prez
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Chrisj CMA
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Posts: 14769


Crestview (Panhandle) Florida


« Reply #18 on: January 30, 2018, 07:27:33 AM »

  On a bolt removal, when a bolt comes out , remove ,clean and reinstall it. This keeps the alternator in alignment.   That is when you have a stubborn one. After all are removed , I run a thread cleaner thru  and clean out the mount thru holes. Anti-seize is used sparingly.

                                      da prez

What keeps the alternator in alignment is the dowel pins  cooldude
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Jess from VA
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Posts: 30409


No VA


« Reply #19 on: January 30, 2018, 07:34:26 AM »

You should have been a surgeon.   cooldude  

I know one thing, my dentist has nowhere near the patience you do.   (nurse, hand me those BIG pliers)
"Darn, tis tooth isn't coming!  Let's squirt some penetrating fluid in there and let the patient sit for a couple of hours.  If he's still here when we get back, I'm sure the tooth'll slide right out!"

I just lost a lifetime friend (rear molar).  There was no saving it. I didn't get the penetrating oil, but when I exhibited anguish, he did give me another shot of Novocain.  Man, I need these things to eat my food.  I'm considering an implant, but not sure about it.  It's not the high expense (though there is that), it's having three hands, and tools and suction in my mouth for seemingly hours on end.

Open wider.   Damn it doc, that's as wide as it goes.  No talking.

You'd think with all the advancing technology, they could just stick a nail gun thing in your mouth with a .22 blank and good anchor, and shoot a tooth into you.        
« Last Edit: January 30, 2018, 07:40:54 AM by Jess from VA » Logged
da prez
Member
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Posts: 4357

. Rhinelander Wi. Island Lake Il.


« Reply #20 on: January 30, 2018, 07:38:59 AM »

Chris , I understand the dowel pins. I guess I should have said twist. Replacing the bolt next to a stuck one takes some pressure off of the bolt you are trying to remove. This was not posted as a challenge , but to share some work experience. I, like you have been around for a while.

                                                       da prez
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Hook#3287
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Posts: 6436


Brimfield, Ma


« Reply #21 on: January 30, 2018, 10:25:15 AM »

Great info Jeff cooldude

I've been lucky, haven't had to pull a alt yet.  (probably just jinxed myself)

I see that two bolts have dowel pins and one doesn't.

https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/honda/motorcycle/1998/gl1500c-a-valkyrie/alternator

Is the stubborn one, one of those that has a dowel?

Dowel pins have nothing to do with it.  The bolt in question is in fact the one with no dowel pin.  Makes sense what has been said, that bolt is subject to more of the elements probably caused the corrosion


Ok, that's what I was trying to get at, it's the different one.  Just speculation, but maybe that's a reason for it not releasing like the other two?  Maybe the dowel gives insulation or protection in some way?

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The emperor has no clothes
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Posts: 29945


« Reply #22 on: January 30, 2018, 10:50:11 AM »

You should have been a surgeon.   cooldude  

I know one thing, my dentist has nowhere near the patience you do.   (nurse, hand me those BIG pliers)
"Darn, tis tooth isn't coming!  Let's squirt some penetrating fluid in there and let the patient sit for a couple of hours.  If he's still here when we get back, I'm sure the tooth'll slide right out!"

I just lost a lifetime friend (rear molar).  There was no saving it. I didn't get the penetrating oil, but when I exhibited anguish, he did give me another shot of Novocain.  Man, I need these things to eat my food.  I'm considering an implant, but not sure about it.  It's not the high expense (though there is that), it's having three hands, and tools and suction in my mouth for seemingly hours on end.

Open wider.   Damn it doc, that's as wide as it goes.  No talking.

You'd think with all the advancing technology, they could just stick a nail gun thing in your mouth with a .22 blank and good anchor, and shoot a tooth into you.        
I'm sure they can.  2funny
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sandy
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Posts: 5383


Mesa, AZ.


« Reply #23 on: January 30, 2018, 03:39:14 PM »

Check BigBF's website. A while back he did a video about how to remove that stubborn bolt.
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