Stuck in the middle of replacing my alternator (2005 4.8)
 

I have everything unbolted and it moves freely left to right as if it's on an axis but it won't slide forward, no give at all. As far as I can tell it's just the two main bolts right?

What gives? (No pun intended)

TIA

Dang should've tried a bit harder before making this thread even though I did yank on it with some strength and it didn't work. What worked was basically semi violently moving it left to right and pulling at the same time

Hey now someone with the same problem might be able to find the solution. Good work

Thanks. Now I've hit another snag. I have the alternator out and I can't get the dang idler pully off. I'm afraid I'm going to completely strip it if I keep messing with it so I'm gonna take it to a shop tomorrow and have them use an impact wrench.

DIY projects NEVER go entirely as planned haha

M18 fuel impact. Look into it.


Sent from my awrPhone using Tapatalk

Yeah you have to wiggle that bad boy out pretty good. She can be a tight fit. Not sure why your idler is giving you grief, though you are up north so maybe that has something to do with it.

Good plan having someone zip it off with an impact but you might want to hit it with a shot of your favorite oil/penetrating fluid to aid it.

Just remember the orientation of the wire harness bracket and the big power line coming off the alternator. If you get those wrong putting the alternator back in is going to lead to all kinds of profanity. Ask me how I know.

Completely agree, it's harder than it needs to be. I might have described it as remove the 2 bolts, the slightly rotate the alternator case to clear housing, then pull forward toward the remove.

1st removal took me 20 mins after having all of the bolts out, 2nd, 3rd, (to readjust the main harness to main bolt orientation, then to adjust wire over instead of under little bracket)

Dang, you doing DIY repairs without air tools???? Use some of that money you're saving and get some tools.:wow:

blackbeast, why didn't you opt for an idler pulley replacement part as it is only 20$ INA brand?

while You are in there check the alternator bracket seal , see if You have a leaking, that is a more expensive job then the alternator ,it and could dump most of Your oil if it fails...............

Thanks fellas, she's all buttoned up and purring again. After the online to store order discount, I got a reman valeo w/lifetime for about 180, and it came with the pulley too.

Overall this was a fairly straight forward and easy project, and this was the first time I ever replaced an alternator. In fact, this was also somehow the first time I ever took off and put back on any kind of belt on a motor, and I've done a lot of DIY.

If I ever have to do it again it will be a breeze. If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask!


Oh, and for future reference, you do *not* need an impact wrench to remove the idler pulley from the alternator, you just need the right bit (45 torque) and it came right off on my first attempt with a little elbow grease.

Glad you got them sorted!

You're completely right, my bad

Nice work getting it done. I was also surprised you were needing an impact to get that pully off. I've always done it with the T45 and a 10" 3/8 drive ratchet.

If it makes you feel any better... I've always referred to those pulleys as idlers as well. BMW calls them deflection pulleys, but anything not attached to a tensioner or main component (water pump, alternator, etc) I've always called an idler pulley. :thumbup: Wasn't confused at all by your posts.

It is attached to a mounting ear on the alternator yes, but it is not what I would call (or anyone I don't think) the "alternator pulley." That's what I meant. I guess I could have said any pulley that is not the main pulley on a component (water pump, alternator) or a tensioner I've called an idler pulley.

That clear it up? :thumbup:

^Ahhh I see the confusion now then. Yes, you can indeed have the alternator out of the car with the idler attached on the N62 4.8 (and 4.4). As soon as he mentioned the T45 I figured that was the pulley he was referring to, as the main drive pulley comes off with a large socket (I forget the size).