Broke an alternator support bracket bolt

[phileas_fogg]

The other day, I noticed the belt driving my alternator was loose. Not thinking, I just tightened the belt & patted myself on the back for being so attentive.

A few days later, I hear a tinkle sound coming from what I thought was the left rear of the car. The next time driving, the tinkle sound is still there, and then there's a scraping sound like a coat hanger being pulled from under the car. I head home immediately and take the tire off and have a look around. Finding nothing, I put the tire back on and go for a lovely drive. On the last mile home, I see my volt gauge is reading 9.5 volts!

I get home, let the car cool off, and have a look under the hood. Of the three bolts for my alternator support bracket, I lost the medium length bolt and its spacer; that must have been the coat hanger dragging sound I heard. I also broke the long bolt off and the stub is still in the head. The short bolt is the only one in place, and it's loose.

To get the stub out of the head, my plan is to use an EZ out; instructions call for me to drill a hole in the stub & then use the left-hand conical bit to back the stub out. Any issues or gotchas with this plan? Is it likely whoever installed the bracket used loc-tite? Do I need to use a left-hand drill bit for the EZ out?


John

P.S. If you hear a sound like a five-year-old going to town on a triangle during band class, check your alternator support bracket!

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=200583&d=1718031451

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=200584&d=1718031451

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=200585&d=1718031451

[Jeff Kleiner]

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=200585&d=1718031451

Probably no Lock-tite. EZ out should work. I like the spiral type with a hex head (Irwin-Hanson are good).

https://cdn.mscdirect.com/global/images/ProductImages/0508329-23.jpg

I'd almost bet that bolt is bottomed out in the blind hole in the head and that's why it broke. When you go back together measure the available depth and be sure to use the appropriate length for it's replacement so that it doesn't do the same.

Jeff

[egchewy79]

use a center punch and drill slowly.
those bolts should not call for loctite.
the spacers are pretty standard sized I believe. you should be able to find them easily on the aftermarket.

[J R Jones]

Use an appropriate sized drill and EZ Out. If you go too big, the EZ Out taper may swell the bolt (thin wall). Use good, sharp drills starting with a pilot drill that can go through, creating a passage for penetrating oil.
jim

[Just 1 More]

I would use a reverse rotation drill bit

[phileas_fogg]

Victory! The broken stub is out, thanks to a left-hand thread bit & the Irwin tool that Kleiner mentioned (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002NYBHI?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details). Even though my drilling waaaayyyy off center, the stub came out without any undue drama.

Now to measure the new bolt to make sure it's not bottoming out in the hole. I may have to grind a thread or two off the end...


John