Tip: How to remove stuck alternator bolt?

[BigBF]

http://youtu.be/WvmC43aqq6w
It's pretty common problem for alternator mount bolts. I have broken like at least 12 of them in the past. This time it's both of them. I took time out and try to figure out without break the bolt. I success at this time... Oh boy it took over 52 minutes to get one out. There other bolt also stuck but not too bad it took me about 12 minutes to get it out.

If you try this yourself... It's at your own risk... There are good chance to break the bolt and also you may will injury yourself....

[R J]

Good show Bro.     

That's what I hate about steel bolt and aluminum receiver.

They have a tendency to stick.   DUH.

[BigBF]

Good show Bro.     

That's what I hate about steel bolt and aluminum receiver.

They have a tendency to stick.   DUH.

Thanks RJ

Yes that's what anti-seize are for...

[John Schmidt]

Good post Bill. I had the same problem on the '99 I restored a couple years ago, so jacked the front higher than the rear and filled the hole with some of that bearcat pee and let it sit over night. Then did the same thing with the heat gun, took a while but it worked.

[old2soon]

Near as I can tell-and trust me I ain't an expert-mother Honda did NOT use anti seize in a lot of places I would have.  Lucked out when I R % Rd my alt. The machine screws that hold my speakers into the brass ferrules on the other hand!!  Even AFTER I had them all out and epoxied in the ferrules and anti seizing the machine screws one or two still managed to eff up BEFORE I got them out.  Course if all this stuff was easy-anybody could do it and mechanics would go out of business!!  And a hat tip to ALL of our in house wrenches who have saved me numerous hours and a fair pile of coin.  RIDE SAFE.

[sandy]

Now you show me this. Where were you 6 years ago when I broke my bolt. The same one.
Oh well: I won't break another one. Thanks Bill.

[BigBF]

Now you show me this. Where were you 6 years ago when I broke my bolt. The same one.
Oh well: I won't break another one. Thanks Bill.

Yup same for me where was I when I need me years ago LoL!

[wiggydotcom]

Good job, Bill. You were really fast retapping those holes....or was that a little trick photography?

[BigBF]

Good job, Bill. You were really fast retapping those holes....or was that a little trick photography?

Ha ha ha I wish I can do that fast... I speed up the video to reduce time I know 12 min is too long... But actual it was over 52 minutes....

[heavyd]

Great ideas, but I am curious, why wouldn't you remove the alternator cover first? One little slip and it would be garbage. I know with my luck between the heat and the hammer I would destroy it for sure.

[Thunderbolt]

Thanks for the show and tell Bill.  Very frustrating indeed and why Honda didn't use anti seize is beyond me.  Sometimes you have to dig deep for the patience that you demonstrated on that job. 

[BigBF]

Great ideas, but I am curious, why wouldn't you remove the alternator cover first? One little slip and it would be garbage. I know with my luck between the heat and the hammer I would destroy it for sure.

Yeah you can if you want to, I don't have problem with that.

[BigBF]

Thanks for the show and tell Bill.  Very frustrating indeed and why Honda didn't use anti seize is beyond me.  Sometimes you have to dig deep for the patience that you demonstrated on that job. 

Yup and waste of time too.
I wish honda didn't drill hole all the way out that's where water get in there. If close on other end then it would not have problem at all.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Thanks for the show and tell Bill.  Very frustrating indeed and why Honda didn't use anti seize is beyond me.  Sometimes you have to dig deep for the patience that you demonstrated on that job. 

Yup and waste of time too.
I wish honda didn't drill hole all the way out that's where water get in there. If close on other end then it would not have problem at all.

Would it be a good ideal to plug the other end ?  Silicone ? JB Weld ?  Other ?

[BigBF]

Thanks for the show and tell Bill.  Very frustrating indeed and why Honda didn't use anti seize is beyond me.  Sometimes you have to dig deep for the patience that you demonstrated on that job. 

Yup and waste of time too.
I wish honda didn't drill hole all the way out that's where water get in there. If close on other end then it would not have problem at all.

Would it be a good ideal to plug the other end ?  Silicone ? JB Weld ?  Other ?

Yeah that should work... Anti-seize will be fine too.

[Gunner]

I recently tried to remove the top two bolts of the alternator on my IS and found them stuck.  My solution was to get the motor warmed up and I sprayed the bolt through the backside of the bolt hole and then head area with SiliKroil by Kano labs.  I did that two days in a row.  After the motor cooled to the point where it was still warm and I could touch it, I used a six point wrench and a hammer and tapped the wrench gently at first and then slightly increasing the impact.  The broke free and came out easily.

After the bolt was out, I could see a small area of discoloration on the bolts where I believe they were stuck in the case.  I ran the bolt through a thread restorer after soaking it with Kroil and then used antiseize.  I retorqued the bolt, less 20% for the antiseize. 

I should not have to worry about those bolts again.  The lower bolt came out without a problem and did not have the small area of discoloration of the other two bolts.

Gunner