Ren: My '92 Civic

[Sven7]

Yeah wish it were a CX

Thanks. It's just that the lower through-bolt is stuck inside the alt and I can't get it out or move it independent of the alt. Of course it has that wacky 24mm square head...

I'm going to try pulling the alt bracket off when I get in there. Can't figure out what else to do. Ideas?

[Fat Charlie]

I don't know about the air dam. I'm not used to mods on your car that don't get seen before the actual car.

[slownugly]

On my d15 I have laying here you can't get the bracket off unless the alternator is out. :/

I know exactly which bolt you mean. I'm assuming the nut is off. Try spraying wd40 or pb blaster on the bolt and let it soak a little. Thread the nut onto the bolt slightly (3 or 4 threads) and try and tap it loose with a small hammer. Don't go crazy if you hit too hard you could damage the threads on the nut. Could also try using a screwdriver or chisel on the big square and and try prying it through

[Sven7]

Originally Posted by Fat Charlie

I don't know about the air dam. I'm not used to mods on your car that don't get seen before the actual car.

Huh?

Originally Posted by slownugly

On my d15 I have laying here you can't get the bracket off unless the alternator is out. :/

I know exactly which bolt you mean. I'm assuming the nut is off. Try spraying wd40 or pb blaster on the bolt and let it soak a little. Thread the nut onto the bolt slightly (3 or 4 threads) and try and tap it loose with a small hammer. Don't go crazy if you hit too hard you could damage the threads on the nut. Could also try using a screwdriver or chisel on the big square and and try prying it through

Yeah I was hoping I could slowly work the bolts out as I pull the bracket away from the block... there really is no good way to do it.

I tried tapping the bolt after the nut came off and buggered up the threads. Now the nut won't go back on. Tried putting vice grips on the thread ends and tried turning the bolt with a box end wrench. It's been sprayed with PB Blaster several times in the past few weeks. I think the bolt has rusted so much in there that it's not going to move. There's no room to get a saw in there and chop the bolt off- I'd end up cutting into the bracket or ruining the much-needed $50 core.

I have the brand new OEM replacements just sitting on the bench, too.

Taking it into the local shop is an option, but I'd rather not spend the money. However, I'd also rather not mess around with this thing in the cold and have to drive the parents' Yukon.

[slownugly]

laying on the ground stinks. i looked up the labor time on our shop system, it calls for 1.3 hours. thats without tax or if they have to spend extra time on the rusty bolt. would save over a hundred bux if you could get it out yourself. if you have a torch handy that might do the trick. laying on the ground sucks though. could try taking the tire off and getting a long punch or screwdriver on that bolt and give it a few good heavy wacks.

[Sven7]

Good suggestions. The ground isn't so bad right now... I'll try the torch and a punch.

Figured the shop rate would be up there. Wish I could pay them $50 to just get it out... I could drive it home and do the rest. :/

[slownugly]

Yea. If you can't get it out might be worth a phone call to a shop to see if they'd just get that bolt out. When you heat it make sure you heat the body of the alternator and also the bracket where the bolt slides through. Be carful with the pb blaster too it might light up. Good luck

[pjbgravely]

You can try the magic mixture of 50% pure Acetone and 50% ATF.
This can melt plastic so you should mix it in a glass or metal jar. Shake up and apply with an eye dropper. don't breath the fumes. Give the casing a whack if you can. It should loosen the bolt in 15 min.

[Sven7]

Haha, I don't know if I even have access to acetone or ATF without buying some new. Probably rather have a shop do it than mix up cancer juice

[Sven7]

Shop wants over $200 to just replace the rusty bolt. $135 an hour. They do great work but... I think I'll find a less expensive option.

Got a full-time job offer at GM a couple days ago so I need to get this Civic ready to drive back to Detroit! (In a few months all three of my cars should be there, getting the help they deserve)

I don't want to jump the gun... but if things are going well in 6 months I might think about buying an EV.