Well I am screwed now. Help please!

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Dec 4, 2005 | 07:00 AM

SparTTan

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Well I am screwed now. Help please!

I figured that alternator has come loose since I have both bolts off. So I tapped on it with a block of wood and a hammer, and it moved a little. So I hit it a few more times, a little harder, and then one of the ribs busted off the alternator. At that point I said "I give up" figuring I was not going to get this thermostat job done and decided to start putting everything back together.

Well, now I can't get the alternator back in position to get the bolts through. It seriously will not budge. When I pull up on the alternator, the entire engine moves. What do I do now?? Am I going to have to have this car flat-bedded to the dealer to fix my screw-up?

<img src="http://www.msu.edu/~lytleric/IMG_1966.JPG">

<img src="http://www.msu.edu/~lytleric/IMG_1969.JPG">

Dec 4, 2005 | 07:40 AM

OldSchool AG

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See those metal bushings? They'll move. Just work it back & forth

they're all like this.

As for the damage to the alt... don't sweat it. But don't hammer it there!!!!! Sheesh!

Dec 4, 2005 | 07:40 AM

T Audi T

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Joined: Aug 2005

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Were you able to locate the broken piece? Hope it didn't fall into the alternator.

Also you may need to soak the lower mount bolt and hinge with WD40 or some such solvent and continue to try to loosen the alternator. It sounds like you may have bound it up a little.
It's not the end of the world, just keep trying to finesse it along. Don't bang on anything that might break (like the cooling vent fin.)

Good luck.

Patients and proper tools eases all tasks! (experience doesn't hurt either)

Dec 4, 2005 | 07:42 AM

Paldi

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Re: Well if it won't move, who needs bolts. Maybe some heat will free it?

How far do you have to drive it to get to service?

Dec 4, 2005 | 07:43 AM

OldSchool AG

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nooooooooooo

Dec 4, 2005 | 07:46 AM

TTschwing

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I'm assuming you slackened the serpentine belt?....>>

One should never assume though!

Try a screwdriver or drift through the holes to lever them into alignment..

Dec 4, 2005 | 08:16 AM

stilljester

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Your fine...Don't give the dealership the satisfaction

<center><img src="http://www.rpi.edu/~onksej/Audi%20Stuff/IMG_1969.jpg"></center><p>The piece you broke won't affect your alternator so don't sweat it. Take a dib of WD40 on like a rag or q-tip and apply it to the areas with the red arrows. Take a small screw driver or center punch and work it into the hole with the blue arrow. Keep increasing the size of the screwdriver or depth of the punch until it all lines up again. They are all a very snug fit. Warning: Do not Hammer the bolt back into place!!!