Alternator: How do I get that third bolt out?

87GTVertDude · Oct 15, 2011

I cant get my alternator out of my 87 GT because I'm not smart enough to figure out how to remove that bolt/pin or whatever it is that it's pivoting on. I have the short bolt on the top out, and the long one too. I looked in the manual and couldn't tell either. I thought it just pulled out after removing those two bolts. I'd be eternally grateful for anyone's help. So would my neighbors, because I left it running in the driveway between our houses after jumping it, and they're parking on the street right now.

Grn92LX · Oct 15, 2011

Its probably stuck. Try tapping it out with a mallet.

87GTVertDude · Oct 15, 2011

Grn92LX said:
Its probably stuck. Try tapping it out with a mallet.

There's no bolt head there to grab on to. Is there supposed to be a bolt there or is it just a pin? Anyone have a diagram?

wythors · Oct 15, 2011

Dude, you're over thinking it.

There is one small bolt going in from the rear at the top, right behind the belt tensioner. At a 45-degree angle down and to the passenger's side is a long bolt. Unscrew that. It may take a little prying or other persuasion, but the alternator will now come out of the bracket.

It sounds to me like you're trying to unbolt the entire alternator bracket assembly.

87GTVertDude · Oct 15, 2011

wythors said:
Dude, you're over thinking it.

There is one small bolt going in from the rear at the top, right behind the belt tensioner. At a 45-degree angle down and to the passenger's side is a long bolt. Unscrew that. It may take a little prying or other persuasion, but the alternator will now come out of the bracket.

It sounds to me like you're trying to unbolt the entire alternator bracket assembly.

Ok, I thought there was a third bolt that it was pivoting on. I got both out and was only able to move it up and down, and not out. So I guess I'll just need to pry it out of the mount. That's a big help to know. I thought the alternator was secured in three places, not two. I'll keep you posted. Thanks for your input.

TheUser · Oct 16, 2011

nope...it is hard to move, but I generally stand in front of the car and wiggle it forwards and backwards until it gets loosened enough to where I can pull it out.

Once you've done these a few times, you can do an alternator in like 10 minutes or less if you have the tools and parts ready.

Beasty306GT · Oct 16, 2011

use a long prybar to get it out it will come out only 2 bolts holding it in

87GTVertDude · Oct 16, 2011

Beasty306GT said:
use a long prybar to get it out it will come out only 2 bolts holding it in

I don't have a camera, but there is a third bolt that the alternator is swinging/pivoting back and forth on. But I don't see a bolt head. Is it a pin? Am I going to have to remove the entire assembly to get it out? This is a clustertruck, especially since I don't have my camera and can't tell you guys what I'm seeing. I have two bolts removed and there is something anchoring it in on the bottom that all the prying and pulling in the world won't release. I hope there's not supposed to be a bolt head there, because if there is, it's gone. Any more ideas until I can get a picture on here? Thanks.

TheUser · Oct 16, 2011

go look here:

Fox Mustang Alternator Installation Photo 9

The top will have a short bolt. The bottom will have a long bolt about 5 or 6 inches that goes through the bottom of the alternator. There is a bushing on each side of the bottom part of the bracket to hold the alternator. If it is set up how it should be from the factory (and why wouldn't it be?), you should be able to remove the top bolt, bottom long bolt and then move the thing forward and backward or pry it and get it out.

It sounds to me like the bushings are holding it. Yes, it will be hard to remove, but there cannot be any other bolts if it is a factory set up. Pry it off.

87GTVertDude · Oct 16, 2011

TheUser said:
go look here:

Fox Mustang Alternator Installation Photo 9

The top will have a short bolt. The bottom will have a long bolt about 5 or 6 inches that goes through the bottom of the alternator. There is a bushing on each side of the bottom part of the bracket to hold the alternator. If it is set up how it should be from the factory (and why wouldn't it be?), you should be able to remove the top bolt, bottom long bolt and then move the thing forward and backward or pry it and get it out.

It sounds to me like the bushings are holding it. Yes, it will be hard to remove, but there cannot be any other bolts if it is a factory set up. Pry it off.

Yah, that's exactly what I'm looking at. So I need to pry the bushings out to remove it. I'll let you know how I do.

86gtriceeater · Oct 16, 2011

if the bushings are really stubborn spray em down with some pb blaster or even wd-40 if you need to. You can pull the alternator forward (toward the front of the car) as far as you can and tap it with a rubber mallet or a regular hammer and a piece of wood. Ive probably done that alternator 50 times. The bushings will slide over a bit on the respective sides but its easier to pry/smack it out. LUK

wythors · Oct 16, 2011

Usually, I just pivot the alternator up and use the tab to rock the unit out. I have also used a prybar to push it up from the bottom. It's just friction holding it in. You don't need or want to remove the bushings, or it won't go back in.

87GTVertDude · Oct 20, 2011

Thanks for the help guys, it was the bushing. Pryed it out, then smacked the bushing back in. Now I have to swap the pulley with the underdrive pulley from my old one. I hope I have a big enough socket.

86gtriceeater · Oct 20, 2011

That will be very very difficult without an impact. You got one?

Alternator: How do I get that third bolt out?

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