Does anyone remember this?
Four years ago Mom's car wouldn't start when we went to leave for the airport. I got a jump and we barely made it to Big O, who replaced the alternator. Some time later I replaced the serpentine belt and the boss on the tensioner was partially stripped. I used a 6-point socket and a breaker bar, but the boss sheared before I was able to remove the belt. I replaced the tensioner and tried to be more careful, but I still sheared the new boss!
Mom had her car towed to the mechanic, but the boss is still sheared, and now she needs a new alternator.
What brand does Big O use? I need to avoid it!
The alternator is right up top. I just need to unbolt it and remove cables. However, I need to loosen the belt, which brings me back to my old nemesis, that aluminum boss!
Shouty Kilmer made a video about it. He claimed that Toyota originally used cheap pot metal, but now they do it right:
Except Mom's old tensioner and her new one look identical--including the sheared boss!