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| Curse this alternator belt! | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jan 2 2012, 09:06 AM (8,880 Views) | |
| clarkdw | Jan 2 2012, 06:08 PM Post #16 |
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Don't worry, it'll stop squealing all on its' own pretty soon. Hope you carry a spare and a 12mm wrench.
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| Woodie | Jan 3 2012, 06:43 AM Post #17 |
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There is ONE bolt at the top of the alternator that rides along a slotted bracket to perform the adjustment. There are TWO bolts at the bottom of the alternator where it meets the engine block (well, very close) that act as a hinge upon which the alternator pivots. Both bottom bolts must be loose to make the adjustment, both must be tight to drive the car. It must be adjusted with a crowbar to get it tight enough, then retightened 100 miles later, then you should be good to go. The first instant that you hear it squeal, you should retighten, it you let it squeal, it will polish the rubber of the belt, and then you have to start over.
Edited by Woodie, Jan 3 2012, 06:44 AM.
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| Jimmyjamx22 | Jan 3 2012, 07:40 AM Post #18 |
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I do gotta say, i had the SAME issues with my 96'. It would sequel when you first turn it on, and after a few minutes it didn't sequel at all, but after awhile it would sequel longer, and more frequently, and while shifting. After some careful consideration, a good mechanic friend told me that it was my alternator bearings were going out. So i took his advice got a new belt, and alternator from advanced auto. No more squealing
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| FLINT | Jan 3 2012, 08:46 AM Post #19 |
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ok, so it sounds like what I want to do is first clean all the pulleys very well and put on a new belt and try to keep it good and tight - and then if it keeps happening, I might want to look into getting a new alternator. are they expensive for the metro? I thought there were 2 bolts on top and 2 bolts on the bottom. on the bottom there are the two bolts that let or limit the alternator pivot - then on top, there is the one bolt that goes through the sliding bracket thing - and then one bolt right tight behind the oil dipstick tube. |
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| sphenicie | Jan 3 2012, 09:02 AM Post #20 |
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hey flint, is the bolt stripped, or the alt that it threads into? the steal is much harder and my experiance is that the alum strips. i have had that. just drill out the alum and use a bolt and nylock nut, 3/8. this would be for the top bolt.
Edited by sphenicie, Jan 3 2012, 09:06 AM.
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| Jimmyjamx22 | Jan 3 2012, 09:11 AM Post #21 |
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exactly. Cheapest method first. then alternator last. it was 150 from advance but use coupon code VISA and it gives you 50 off 150 or more. |
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| bogs | Jan 3 2012, 12:57 PM Post #22 |
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Duct tape heals all wounds
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Completely missed the bolt issue when I first read this, sorry, my bad. I have never had to use a crowbar to install my belt, Nerys at your size I can't imagine since you are far larger than I am both in height and mass. I would agree you should make sure the pulleys are clean for sure. The last belt I put on came from Advance and was the dayco one, it went roughly 1 year ( around 30k miles ), the current belt I replaced it with was NAPAs heavy duty unit, which seems to be more meaty, I'll try to get the name and number on it but I have no stats. It has been on a month or so, no re-tightening required so far after installation. |
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| nerys | Jan 3 2012, 02:25 PM Post #23 |
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Grr
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I hate tearing my hands up PUSHING on the alternator so I used a crow bar (well a long wrench) Just makes it easier to hold it tight while I tighten the bolt. the second bolt by the dipstick does NOT need to be loosened once everything is installed. you will note the Alternator bracket arm hole where the top bolt goes through is an ARC this is specifically in place so you DO NOT have to loosen that second top bolt. put both bolts in place TIGHTEN down the bracket bolt and you never have to loosen it again to adjust the alternator. that is what the arc track is their for. My procedure is simple. snug bottom bolts. Shove alternator into place Fully tighten top bolt. start it if ok stop tighten bottom bolts. I never had to re-tighten. Maybe I have mine too tight? not sure but works fine. I have around a 1/2" deflection when I push on the belt which feels about right. |
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| FLINT | Jan 3 2012, 03:21 PM Post #24 |
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oh wow, thats good to know - all this time i've been loosening and tightening that bolt unnecessarily! so just the one up top then. great. |
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| Coche Blanco | Jan 3 2012, 03:53 PM Post #25 |
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Troll Certified
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You should loosen all 3. EDIT: Pretty sure you guys are discussing different bolts. Edited by Coche Blanco, Jan 3 2012, 03:53 PM.
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| nerys | Jan 3 2012, 09:36 PM Post #26 |
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Grr
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we are discussing 4 bolts. I think of the bottom as 1 bolt split into two halves (same axis) thats 2 then you have the third bolt up top. THEN that BRACKET this bolt goes into there is a 4th bolt that holds the bracket into place. HE thought you needed to loosen the bracket bolt. you don't just the bolt in the arc slider hole and the bottom two. |
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| Memphis metro | Jan 3 2012, 10:04 PM Post #27 |
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All I ever loosen to adjust/replace the alternator belt is one bolt on the back bottom and the top slider adjuster bolt. I have never had a alternator noise issue on either of my metros. |
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| FLINT | Jan 4 2012, 08:55 AM Post #28 |
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yes, you got it exactly right - and its that bracket bolt that the head is now stripped on and I should replace - even though I now know that I don't need to loosen or tighten when tightening the belt. Does anyone know the length of THAT bolt - I'm assuming its the same diameter and thread pitch of the other bolt. |
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| nerys | Jan 4 2012, 11:14 AM Post #29 |
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Grr
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ohhh ouch. not sure. I bet you could just drill it out toss a nut and bolt in their? I am not sure if the backside is accessible or not. |
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| clarkdw | Jan 4 2012, 11:55 AM Post #30 |
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The bottom bolt that goes through the ear on the alternator and threads in to the bracket is 8mm X 1.25 pitch X 30mm long The top bolt that threads in to the alternator through the slot in the adjusting bracket is 8mm X 1.25 X 25mm long. The bolt that goes through the slotted bracket and threads in to the engine behind the oil dipstick tube is 8mm X 1.25 X 25mm long. These are the sizes on both my hatch and my vert. Edited by clarkdw, Jan 4 2012, 11:55 AM.
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Hope you carry a spare and a 12mm wrench.






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