Alternator change - in the name of all things unholy!

[PomBstard]

Need to change the alternator on my NB. Having previously been reasonably confident with spanners, I just bought a new one and lifted the bonnet. Two bolts, must be easy.

WTF??? I've removed the plastic underside thingy and still can't access the head of the bottom bolt properly. I reckon if I remove the support brackt for the inlet manifold I might, just might, get enough room, but is this the way to do it? Or do I really have to struggle getting a spanner on the head, cos theres no room for a socket and ratchet, turning about 1/16th of a turn, then phaffing around seemingly ad infinitum to get the bolt undone, only to have to repeat when reinstalling?

Someone tell me there's a secret code or fix that does this for me, without having to pay.

[gforceg]

I've heard that removing the bracket is the best bet. Hateful design.

Good luck.

[Richyvrlimited]

Just pull the intake manifold brace, it's 3 bolts all easy to access.

Don't worry if you forget to reinstall in either.

[PomBstard]

Manifold brace was easy enough, but it still took a bit of oomph and luck to shift a bolt that hadn't moved in 14 years without knocking brake pipes or anything else around.

Went back together in about 15mins, but if I ever get hold of the designer of that bolt system, I won't be responsible for my actions.

[Richyvrlimited]

What year is is? Later cars just had a bolt and the rear most aperture was threaded, complete diddle to remove, (but the bolt has a habit of working loose/falling off)

[PomBstard]

Richyvrlimited said:

What year is is? Later cars just had a bolt and the rear most aperture was threaded, complete diddle to remove, (but the bolt has a habit of working loose/falling off)

Its a 98 - brace was easy to remove, but getting to the bottom bolt for the alternator, and getting it to move required an awful lot of swearing. Once the thread was unlocked, say 1/4 turn, it was finger-loose all the way out.

Anyway, done now, and so far so good...