Alternator oddity

[riderdan]

Noticed the alternator was loose this AM when working on the truck and it turned out that the rear bolt had worked loose and gotten lost. No problem (I thought)--I've got tons of bolts and I'm sure I have one to fit this application.

However, when I tried to thread the bolt into the hole in the tab on the alternator, it felt like there were no threads. Which seemed odd. So I looked closer and hole in the the body of the alternator, where the bolt is supposed to go, doesn't line up with the hole in the tab.

I threw a bolt in to see how far off the alignment was...

Any idea what's wrong here? The exploded diagram wasn't much help.

 

[Action]

Are you trying to put a bolt back in while the belt(s) is/are still on?

 

[riderdan]

No, I’m just trying to figure out why this doesn’t line up. The alternator is loose enough on the bracket that I took the belts off so the belts definitely aren’t the issue

maybe it needs to come all the way out and then back in with that bolt first?

 

[Milcommoguy]

Front ear might be bent or ready to snap.

And don't forget the shim to close the gap shown or alternator ear / s are going to snap off. Now that's a bigger problem. Also brace to engine or exhaust (two different styles) Search threads on this site for more info or TM's.

This may help > https://www.logsa.army.mil/web2/archive/PS2006/645/645-17.pdf

Sunday morning funny paper read, NOT... CAMO

 

[riderdan]

So, the bolt definitely had the bolt broken off inside the bottom hole of the alternator bracket. Ordered a new bracket, but it's not a perfect match for the one in the truck. Specifically, the hole where the bolt is supposed to go through the alternator mounting tab isn't threaded.

I'm thinking I can just use a longer bolt and put a nut on the back (the hole goes all the way through). Can anyone think of a reason not to do it that way?

 

[Retiredwarhorses]

the 60amp alternator goes on bracket that uses a bolt on the front and back, the bracket is threaded
with a helicoil, the bracket is usually aluminum, you also need the rear support and spacer.
The 200amp bracket is steeel snd the hole is NOT threaded, it uses long 7/16 bolt about 9in” long.
so check to see what bracket you might have,