How to Remove a Vehicle's Alternator Bolt

To remove a car's alternator, you first have to remove the bolts holding it to the engine mounting bracket. Generally, there are either 2 or 3 bolts holding the alternator in place. Here's how to find and remove them.

Instructions

1

Get the alternator ready to work on by removing the fan belt, or serpentine belt, from the pulley attached to the front of the alternator. Disconnect the wires running from the alternator to the battery.

2

Locate the bolts holding the alternator to the engine bracket. These bolts have hex heads and run through the length of the alternator's body into the threads in the mounting bracket. You may have to feel around with your fingers to find them because sometimes they are fitted into recesses in the front of the alternator housing and not easily visible.

3

Select the correct socket to fit the bolt hex heads and attach it to your socket wrench. Loosen and remove the bolts one at a time by turning your wrench to your left until the bolt is loose enough to turn with your fingers and pull out.

4

Put each bolt in a safe place as you remove it, such as your pocket or a magnetized parts tray. You'll need them to reinstall, or replace, the alternator.

5

Try to jiggle the alternator after you've removed the first bolt and loosened the second one. If it moves slightly when you try to wiggle it, there are only 2 bolts holding it in place. If it still feels solid and doesn't jiggle, then there is a third bolt holding it in place, and you'll need to find and remove that one also.

6

Hold on to the alternator as you remove the last bolt and lift it away from the engine.