Alternator question ! (PIC) Nut on back of alternator does not loosen ! - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

5ABI VT · 11-09-2014

Tried loosening the but and heart a faint tick and the harness started to rotate with the nut. I marked the tip of the bolt and it's rotating with the nut.

Everything is right and secure so I can leave it but I'm thinking to sort it out now while it's all accessible.

Does the alternator need to come apart to fix this ? This is the nut..

Thanks on advance

Franke · 11-09-2014

Yes. The head of that bolt is square inside the alternator. Looking at your pic I see a cracked through hole bolt insulator which will also need to be replaced so that you don't get a short from battery to ground. I bet that insulator cracked when the bolt spun. I would replace these parts as soon as possible.

GOLDCYLON · 11-09-2014

Yep your going to need to open it up as its spinning inside

5ABI VT · 11-09-2014

I would have to guess someone overtightened it before me. That's exactly how it was before I started. all I did was put a socket on and the bolt and socket both rotate so I cant loosen it.

Looks like Ill be getting a lesson on rebuilding alternators too

5ABI VT · 11-09-2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOLDCYLON

Yep your going to need to open it up as its spinning inside

Does it matter that everything is still tight the way it is? I was hoping to get to putting the plenum back together and now this.. :/

Basically I was loosening it because I was going to add wire to go to the battery plus another ground off the case to the battery. A car audio upgrade that pretty much only has benefits so I figured why not (big 3/4 upgrade)

BennieC. · 11-09-2014

Try to loosen it with a 3/8 impact gun if available.

Franke · 11-09-2014

I would say for peace of mind and safety sake that I would replace those parts especially that insulator. That insulator cannot be substituted for by anything else but the right one.

5ABI VT · 11-10-2014

Appreciate the Input. Didn't think much of the cracked plastic but I watched a few rebuild videos at work and didn't realize they sell every little piece for these. I'll be pulling it apart shortly when I get home and I'll look to replace that piece and do it right.

Is there a replacement alternator that is considered an upgrade to the original ? Not a fan of rebuilt alternators as they're sometimes hit or miss in my experience.

RICHARD TILL · 11-10-2014

I`d be concerned about the wire that is attached to the head of the bolt. Its actually a simple job to repair. Check you-tube on GM alternator rebuilding.

Z51JEFF · 11-10-2014

Hey Mike these are pretty easy to work on,the biggest challenge is getting the brush holder straightened out.There is a hole in the brush holder and this is what holds the brushes back while the armature goes back in the housing.Send me a P.M. and I can give you some tips.

11-09-2014	#1
5ABI VT Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Toronto Posts: 782	Alternator question ! (PIC) Nut on back of alternator does not loosen ! Tried loosening the but and heart a faint tick and the harness started to rotate with the nut. I marked the tip of the bolt and it's rotating with the nut. Everything is right and secure so I can leave it but I'm thinking to sort it out now while it's all accessible. Does the alternator need to come apart to fix this ? This is the nut.. Thanks on advance

11-09-2014	#2
Franke Join Date: May 2013 Location: Beaver, PA Posts: 516	Re: Alternator question ! (PIC) Nut on back of alternator does not loosen ! Yes. The head of that bolt is square inside the alternator. Looking at your pic I see a cracked through hole bolt insulator which will also need to be replaced so that you don't get a short from battery to ground. I bet that insulator cracked when the bolt spun. I would replace these parts as soon as possible.

11-09-2014	#3
GOLDCYLON Join Date: May 2007 Location: Peoria, AZ Posts: 9,152	Re: Alternator question ! (PIC) Nut on back of alternator does not loosen ! Yep your going to need to open it up as its spinning inside __________________ GOLDCYLON - 91 ZR-1 #2014 GOLDCYLON - 90 ZR-1 #2794, 4L60e (Formerly Schrade's) GOLDCYLON - 11 CTS-V Arizona State Director 91 WHITE/BLACK #2014. 380 P&P&PCed,Ported Heads, Jeal Long tubes, Corsa Exhaust/FIKSE FM-5s /LED TLs, LED Headlights, Front Wilwood 6 piston narrowlite calipers and rear Wilwood caliper street shop mod,CNCed Coolant Pipes,TPI Cvr,Filter cover,Stainless Bolts, DRM/DOM PROM /ZFDOC mod build #102,DRLs,BMAD with stainless Debris Screen,Coplan Air Blaster, Pioneer APP Radio 4,Brey-Krause HB,Sub Bar,Fire extinguisher seat mount,DRM Coilovers,LEDs everywhere,Compass mirror (orange),V1 DIC hidden display, Homelink sun visor, Carbon Fiber top x3 and APSIS Carbon Fiber interior, APSIS CF Steering Wheel/NAPA Leather, Banski trailing arms, Guldstrand front suspension,urethane bushings from Prothane (total suspension) ZFDoc drive shaft safety loop, raptor shift light (orange),AO engineering louver front plate, Console seat cushion, 96CE seats with black custom Sheepskins, ss billet catch can,Viper remote entry/alarm,Cragar Rear Louvers,LED side louver lights, Dewitts Radiator with SPAL fans and a Woods 160 T-Stat 90 RED/BLACK #2794. 4L60e Automatic Stage V by RPM Transmission, TCI Dedicated TCM, OBX Stainless Headers, Corsa Exhaust, SAN Secondaries and Haibeck PROM, Exotic Muscle Coil overs, LED Interior Lights, LED Tail Lights, LED Headlights, 94 Sport seats with black custom Sheepskins , Cragar rear louvers, GS Front calipers, Banski Trailing arms, APSIS Carbon Fiber steering wheel, Front and Rear Baer Eradispeeds, DRLs, Guldstrand front suspension,urethane bushings from Prothane (total suspension), Dewitt's Raditor with Dual SPAL fans and a Haibeck 170 T-Stat 11 RED/GREY CTS-V

11-09-2014	#4
5ABI VT Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Toronto Posts: 782	Re: Alternator question ! (PIC) Nut on back of alternator does not loosen ! I would have to guess someone overtightened it before me. That's exactly how it was before I started. all I did was put a socket on and the bolt and socket both rotate so I cant loosen it. Looks like Ill be getting a lesson on rebuilding alternators too

11-09-2014	#6
BennieC. Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Sacramento Posts: 21	Re: Alternator question ! (PIC) Nut on back of alternator does not loosen ! Try to loosen it with a 3/8 impact gun if available.

11-10-2014	#8
5ABI VT Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Toronto Posts: 782	Re: Alternator question ! (PIC) Nut on back of alternator does not loosen ! Appreciate the Input. Didn't think much of the cracked plastic but I watched a few rebuild videos at work and didn't realize they sell every little piece for these. I'll be pulling it apart shortly when I get home and I'll look to replace that piece and do it right. Is there a replacement alternator that is considered an upgrade to the original ? Not a fan of rebuilt alternators as they're sometimes hit or miss in my experience.

11-10-2014	#9
RICHARD TILL Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Iuka, Mississippi 38852 Posts: 756	Re: Alternator question ! (PIC) Nut on back of alternator does not loosen ! I`d be concerned about the wire that is attached to the head of the bolt. Its actually a simple job to repair. Check you-tube on GM alternator rebuilding.

11-10-2014	#10
Z51JEFF Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Fremont,Ca Posts: 3,036	Re: Alternator question ! (PIC) Nut on back of alternator does not loosen ! Hey Mike these are pretty easy to work on,the biggest challenge is getting the brush holder straightened out.There is a hole in the brush holder and this is what holds the brushes back while the armature goes back in the housing.Send me a P.M. and I can give you some tips.