Alternator change and ride height

[AdrianO]

Am I right in thinking that removal of the alternator pivot bolt to replace the alternator requires a prerequisite minimum suspension height, so that the bolt can accept a spanner and then be withdrawn under the wheel arch strutwork (or alternatively for the car to be jacked up first onto axle stands to effect same)?

With the ride height dropped (as per usual ) I can't for the life of me see how else one could get the alternator off the vehicle (BX Meteor).

[rutter123]

The alternator usually comes out from the top, I cant see that the suspension setting will make any difference. Can you remove the mounting bracket from the engine block?

[AdrianO]

Ah ha... didn't think of that one. (Neither did Haynes ). Looks straightforward now in theory. I have the obvious bracket securing bolt out from under the inlet manifold, but the bracket is well stuck on. I can't see any other bolts that also need removing, so I'm guessing it just need bashing out.

[Jaba]

You just need to undo the through bolt, not remove it, using a 21mm cranked ring spanner. If you free it from the threads the alternator will lift off the bracket (albeit with the usual BX difficulty).

[rutter123]

I wouldn't recommend bashing the bracket it could crack the casting or cause further damage, Mr Jaba has given the best advice, a simple solution to your problem. I'm guessing yours is a petrol engine, a little more fiddly but doable without too much hassle, just be careful you don't damage the radiator when getting the alternator out.

[AdrianO]

Done now. Indebted for the advice. 21mm gets the pivot bolt undone - not quite enough clearance behind the bolt to work the ring end, but the open end, at an angle where there's room to lever it, does it. I needed to go buy one.

With the alternator out, the mounting bracket situation becomes transparently and horribly clear. There is a second bolt holding it low down, but the lower part of the bracket (it's sort of L-shaped) is used to secure the hydraulic pump. So bashing out the bracket - if successful - would almost certainly wreck the unions on the pump, and quite possibly tarfu the pump itself, as well as the bracket of course.

[rutter123]

Bashing any part of an engine with a hammer is never a good thing, and if you damage the hydraulic pump or pipework you could end up in a world of pain and could cost £100's to replace, there are a few hidden bolts on a bx, so if in any doubt of how to assemble/disassemble anything seek. advice rather than empty your wallet. Advice is free and there's plenty of bxaholics on here should you need some.

[AdrianO]

My bad - "bash" would be verboten here.

I had a senior moment not realizing from pics of the alternator that one of the lower mounting lugs is open, meaning the pivot bolt does not need to be extracted through it. And now the whole thread is document...