broke alternator adjustment bolt

[newtoyota]

so i had a thread earlier about a squeal, that i fixed for the most part by tightening up the alternator belt..
it was back a little bit so went to tighten it some more but the adjustment bolt snapped in half !

does this bolt go into the engine block ?

if i do succeed in removing the old one, would i be able to install the new one without removing the alternator ??

thanks in advance!!

also is it possible for the alternator belt to be tight without the adjustment belt? (e.g if it was at the right tightness when the lock/pivot bolt were tightened?)
or no adjustment bolt means 100% no tension?

[trife96]

Dang man, sorry to hear. I did this stupid mistake myself a long long time ago. But no, the alternator has three bolts to contend with. A lock bolt (bottom goes in from the side), pivot bolt (top) and the adjustment bolt (front)

Loosen the lock bolt first!!!! Then to adjust, you turn the adjustment bolt. Biggest mistake people make is forget to loosen lock bolt, and then SNAP! The adjustment bolt breaks

The reason is the lock bolt and the adjustment bolt screw into a little sqaure block (not into the engine block as you suggested). It's hard to describe it but basically, you need to remove the lock bolt, and it will jus fall out. In fact, if the adjustment bolt is broke off, the lock bolt will feel all loose. Jest remove it and you will see what I'm talking about. But no you don't have to remove the entire alternator. Now, when you put it back in, that block has to go a certain way. If you look close you will notice the bolt hols are off center and I think that little block has some kind of groove or line on it to tell you the right way, but basically the lock bolt hole will be up top, and the adjustment bolt goes under when installed

Also the alternator belt is tightened from the alternator adjustment bolt. So no, you need it and if you don't, Eventually it will start squeaking again. No adjustment bolt...No tension

[newtoyota]

yea that's the mistake i did unfortunately really bad timing for me as i need the car.

so it wouldn't hold until i have time? i haven't started it and scared to do so

tension is currently ok on the belt, and the other half of the bolt that goes from the adjuster (where the lock bolt goes) to the block is still there... that wouldn't be enough or would it loosen still over time?

edit: so i don't really need to extract the broken bolt, I can just remove the alternator, replace that square block with new bolts and I am good to go ?????

[trife96]

No need to replace alternator, jus unscrew the lock bolt, get the square block out of there so you can get the rest of the broken part of the bolt out. Then you can get the long bolt from another corolla at the junk yard, or get a long bolt like it (make sure it's the same thread, and size, and a grade eight (hard) bolt. But I would jus get one from a junk yard.

And no tension will eventually get loose again. The only bolt keeping the alternator tight is the pivot bolt at this point. And can get you around for a day's driving maybe, but is unsafe

[newtoyota]

just like you said exactly!!! got the square block out and the bolt out... just need a new one!!
i was so worried thinking it's gonna be a major job extracting from engine block and what not!

thanks alot you I really appreciate your help!

so how do you suggest i put the square block back in? with the adjustment bolt already in ?

[trife96]

Originally Posted by trife96

when you put it back in, that block has to go a certain way. If you look close you will notice the bolt hols are off center and I think that little block has some kind of groove or line on it to tell you the right way, but basically the lock bolt hole will be up top, and the adjustment bolt goes under when installed

But it's a PITA, I start the lock b olt first, then the adjustment bolt, either way, it's sucks lol One of my most hated designs on this engine is that very part. I remember the radiator being a factor. Just kind funny, then the hood rod is right there BLAH!