Replacing alternator

[Cup_Phil]

Got a new alternator (finally) for my 172 cup

Need to swap it this weekend

Any advice on how to do it? Where the bolts are etc... - not having a haynes manual bothers me slightly

Also where the main power lead connects to the alternator - I tried undoing that last weekend after soaking it in WD40 but the nut just turns with the cable and doesn't undo
I don't want to snap the cable - any advice?

If I have to remove the alternator with the cable attached - can I get to where it connects to the battery and remove it at that end?

Also - do I have to take the front bumper and stuff off to get to it? If so is there a guide at all to removing the front bumper

(sorry for essay)

 

[DMS]

I can't really be of much use, except to tell you that taking the front bumper off is very easy. Fubar wrote a guide which I used the first time I ever did it. It's in the guides section somewhere.
Essentially it's just 4 bolts, 2 torx screws and a bit of a tug.

 

[Cup_Phil]

Ahh yeah just read that - and slam panel is easy too

That'll give me some room to work

I'm hoping its fairly easy being a cup - as theres no tensioner

 

[Gray]

LOL...

You don't need to touch the front bumper on the cup!

It's a 20 mins job on a cup.. 1 bolt, 3 nuts, slacken belt off, lift out alternator and replace .


Done

 

[Cup_Phil]

You've just made my day!!!

Now I've just got to get that bloody nut off of the main power cable without cutting/snapping the cable - damn thing is really rusted on

 

[James.f]

when your removing the power cable DONT let the ratchet touch anything like Ryan(nwp) did, sparks happen lol,

 

[MikeB]

Disconnect battery and then undo live wires etc.

 

[Cup_Phil]

when your removing the power cable DONT let the ratchet touch anything like Ryan(nwp) did, sparks happen lol,

haha nasty!!

 

[NWPerformance]

when your removing the power cable DONT let the ratchet touch anything like Ryan(nwp) did, sparks happen lol,

Lmao that was your dodgy wires A rad is not not meant to be live

 

[Tom@JMS]

when your removing the power cable DONT let the ratchet touch anything like Ryan(nwp) did, sparks happen lol,

weld it across the contacts

 

[Cup_Phil]

Tried again tonight - can't get that nut undone that holds the main power cable on

The entire thing just spins in the alternator

Any ideas? I'm considering smashing the plastic cover off so I can get a spanner on the base of that terminal to stop it turning around

 

[Gray]

Man up?

Air gun?

 

[Cup_Phil]

I can't really because the cable turns with the bolt - and it will only move so far before it snaps off

I feel that replacing that cable wouldn't be fun

 

[Gray]

LOL... I am sure it will come off with a little persuasion!

Spanner, mole grips?

 

[DaveLiquid182]

Break it off the back off the alternator. Then get some mole grips on the other side.

 

[Cup_Phil]

That sounds like my way of working

STOP.... HAMMER TIME!

 

[MikeB]

Hammers ftw!

 

[Cup_Phil]

Cheers guys - took me about 30 mins

Managed to undo the belt and unbolt the alternator - then lift the alternator out onto the top of the slam panel with the cable still attached

Then smashed all the plastic cover off the back and you can get a 17mm spanner on the back of that terminal to stop it spinning

Fixed all my issues with the warning lights coming on on tickover - and the car feels a fair bit smoother to drive - proper job!