HELP! Removing Alternator! I'm stuck!
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,263
Likes: 169
From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
HELP! Removing Alternator! I'm stuck!
Yes, I am completely baffled.
I have the Supercharger out, and trying to pull the alternator.
As you can see in the pics, I pulled the 2 bolts that hold the alternator to the large support that bolts to the side of the engine, but she won't
come out! The service DVD is useless.
I decided it was time to drink a beer and take a break.
But I'm supposed to go to the electric shop tomorrow and get it rebuilt on the spot, if only I could get it out.
Ha, this all started with a leaky manifold gasket...
well gotta pull the SC to do that, and if I'm gonna do that might as well replace it, and do the alternator while i'm in there.
So what you see in the pics, is
a. the alternator, red arrows indicate the position of the now removed bolts that supposedly hold it in place, but something else is in play here
and
b. The large support bracket that the SC and alternator bolt to,
and I've roughly outlined the area where the alternator lives.
The X is the belt tentioner, didn't want people to get confused.
I thought maybe I'd just remove the whole support bracket, but thats not so easy either, a couple of the bolts are but impossible to get to.
WTF am I missing here?
Can someone please offer me a suggestion?
I have the Supercharger out, and trying to pull the alternator.
As you can see in the pics, I pulled the 2 bolts that hold the alternator to the large support that bolts to the side of the engine, but she won't
come out! The service DVD is useless.
I decided it was time to drink a beer and take a break.
But I'm supposed to go to the electric shop tomorrow and get it rebuilt on the spot, if only I could get it out.
Ha, this all started with a leaky manifold gasket...
well gotta pull the SC to do that, and if I'm gonna do that might as well replace it, and do the alternator while i'm in there.
So what you see in the pics, is
a. the alternator, red arrows indicate the position of the now removed bolts that supposedly hold it in place, but something else is in play here
and
b. The large support bracket that the SC and alternator bolt to,
and I've roughly outlined the area where the alternator lives.
The X is the belt tentioner, didn't want people to get confused.
I thought maybe I'd just remove the whole support bracket, but thats not so easy either, a couple of the bolts are but impossible to get to.
WTF am I missing here?
Can someone please offer me a suggestion?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 5,769
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From: NJ
'08 E550 4Matic
There is a sleeve between the joints where the bolts go. Get some pb blaster and let it sit for a bit. Then you can insert a screw driver and feel for the sleeve and then hammer it until the alternator falls off.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,263
Likes: 169
From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
Whats pb blaster?
I have liquid wrench, will that help?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,263
Likes: 169
From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
Well, after trying to pry out the brass fittings, what appeared to be a sleeve,
banging on them with a screwdriver, dousing them with
liquid wrench,
I finally got a pair of pliers, and turned the brass fitting just ever so slightly and the thing just fell out.
I had to take the bolts out of the swaybar bushing bracket, and push it aside to get the alt out, but out it came.
Tomorrow, $125 and it'll be like new, I hope.
I'll avoid the $1200 replacement many here have endured.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,212
Likes: 8
From: Pasadena, CA
2002 C230K, 2013 BMW 328, 2015 BMW X5
So, do you think the S/C could have stayed in place? Or will the S/C need to be removed in order to get to the alt?
Glad you got it done. Write it up amigo. You have been doing awesome on DIY stuff.
E
Glad you got it done. Write it up amigo. You have been doing awesome on DIY stuff.
E
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,263
Likes: 169
From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
Well, once I get it completed, I think I'll be able to tell if it is required to
remove the Supercharger.
I may delete the SC muffler this time around...
now that I know how to get the cover off, it's not so hard.
M111 coupes rule!
This total beotch bartender said to me one time (only)
(I never went back)
"It's all about the Bejamins".
Hopefully I'll keep a few avoiding the inevitable.
remove the Supercharger.
I may delete the SC muffler this time around...
now that I know how to get the cover off, it's not so hard.
M111 coupes rule!
This total beotch bartender said to me one time (only)
(I never went back)
"It's all about the Bejamins".
Hopefully I'll keep a few avoiding the inevitable.
Last edited by C230 Sport Coup; May 14, 2008 at 03:22 AM.
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,263
Likes: 169
From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
Got my alt back from the shop today, wow, I picked the hotest day of the year to drive 90 miles in traffic in a car with no AC.
Yeh, it was a Benz, though a little older vintage,
a 1985 500SEL.
In any case, my brushes were down to nubs!
1K-2K miles tops before I'd be callin' the tow truck, so makes me
happy to know it was a good decision, and not a waste of money.
Total expenditure, about 150 vs. about 700 online for a new one, including gas, to get the alt rebuilt,
all new electronics, brushes, and bearings.
Completely cleaned up, commutator machined etc.
The down side was being stuck in 100 degree weather, with a cold, no AC, and about 120F in a 23 year old car with no AC. If it hadn't been so hot, it wouldn't have been such a big deal.
A lot nicer than the $1200 repair bills many here have been stuck with.
Yeh, it was a Benz, though a little older vintage,
a 1985 500SEL.
In any case, my brushes were down to nubs!
1K-2K miles tops before I'd be callin' the tow truck, so makes me
happy to know it was a good decision, and not a waste of money.
Total expenditure, about 150 vs. about 700 online for a new one, including gas, to get the alt rebuilt,
all new electronics, brushes, and bearings.
Completely cleaned up, commutator machined etc.
The down side was being stuck in 100 degree weather, with a cold, no AC, and about 120F in a 23 year old car with no AC. If it hadn't been so hot, it wouldn't have been such a big deal.
A lot nicer than the $1200 repair bills many here have been stuck with.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,263
Likes: 169
From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
After all these year, it's alternator time again.
Arrgh! I remember it being easier!
Well for some reason I can't remember I had the supercharger out which would make it easier.
Getting to the 2 bolts was a beeeetch! And BTW they are strangely either 16mm or
5/8". I'll double check, That was one of the things that drove me mad.
Wrestling the socket in there, and then discovering it was the wrong size.
I searched everywhere and no one had mentioned the size!
The electrical connector on the back is 13mm.
And also after all these years, some of the bolts on the sway bar are stuck on the drivers side, so
only able to make room on the passenger side, and a pry bar would be very useful!
I think I'll get one before reinstalling to wrestle it back in.
Oddly enough, after the 1st time I did it, the alt failed under warranty, and I had to R&R again,
but that time, I swear it only took me a 1/2 hour, though I don't know how that could be.
Well, we'll see how the reinstall goes.
And yes, some PB blaster did wonders, That a rubber mallet to gently break it loose...ok maybe not so gently.
Brushes were GONE! Fortunately I had a spare set, or rather I took the original to a shop and had new ones
soldered in some time ago, I cleaned up the contacts, and then tomorrow get it tested if possible.
If it works, it goes back in, Not doing a full rebuild.
Arrgh! I remember it being easier!
Well for some reason I can't remember I had the supercharger out which would make it easier.
Getting to the 2 bolts was a beeeetch! And BTW they are strangely either 16mm or
5/8". I'll double check, That was one of the things that drove me mad.
Wrestling the socket in there, and then discovering it was the wrong size.
I searched everywhere and no one had mentioned the size!
The electrical connector on the back is 13mm.
And also after all these years, some of the bolts on the sway bar are stuck on the drivers side, so
only able to make room on the passenger side, and a pry bar would be very useful!
I think I'll get one before reinstalling to wrestle it back in.
Oddly enough, after the 1st time I did it, the alt failed under warranty, and I had to R&R again,
but that time, I swear it only took me a 1/2 hour, though I don't know how that could be.
Well, we'll see how the reinstall goes.
And yes, some PB blaster did wonders, That a rubber mallet to gently break it loose...ok maybe not so gently.
Brushes were GONE! Fortunately I had a spare set, or rather I took the original to a shop and had new ones
soldered in some time ago, I cleaned up the contacts, and then tomorrow get it tested if possible.
If it works, it goes back in, Not doing a full rebuild.
Last edited by C230 Sport Coup; Jul 15, 2020 at 10:59 PM.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,263
Likes: 169
From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
It has the brushes in it.
Old ones were worn down to nothing.
Polished the contact area on the shaft with 1200 grit by spinning by hand till shiny,
and put in the 'new' regulator with the new brushes, which was actually my original regulator with new brushes
soldered in by a auto electrics shop for $20.
Took it to Oreily they tested it and it was OK!
Put it back in last night.
Problem resolved!
By the way it is 5/8" bolts.
Though 16mm works too.
You've got hoses, engine supports and radiator shield in the way of the bolts,
but using a combination of short and long sockets, and
at one point a 5/8" spark plug socket with a 19 mm open end wrench on the end and finally got the bugger in.
Now to fix my bumper which was torn off unloading from a car carrier from our move to Oregon!
I really need to bring the height up on this car,
Hopefully just adjust the coilovers, otherwise I may go back to stock suspension.
I'm not as young aa I used to be and neither is the car.
No need to go fast fast fast! Nice not getting tickets!
Last edited by C230 Sport Coup; Jul 17, 2020 at 03:00 PM.
