Anyone has any tips on this issue....4.8is
 

Hi guys.

I had an issue where I needed to remove the alternator, and while loosening the lower bolt it broke off. It broke right at the threading. The lower bolt is the longer of the two. As we know the alternator is wedged in on the alternator brocket. Anyone knows how to remove/ extract this broken bolt?

There are extraction kits where you make a hole in the bolt and use a reverse screw type tool to get it out.

I know about it, but getting to the bolt is the issue.

I'm guessing you don't have the ability to grap the leftover piece with vice grips?

Another "option" if you can is to unplug the battery, get a smaller diameter bolt and welt it on. A simple small tack is enough.

The problem is usually that if it's stuck enough that it's broken it's not going to come out easy. Left handed drill bit is my favorite answer.

To get in a tight spot you can use an insert bit drill and a right angle adapter. Milwaukee makes these great little drill bits that are only about 4-5cm long


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I do have the extractor and left hand bits. I cant even see the piece thats broken off in the engine. The only was I might be able to see it is removing the radiator. But the piece in the engine is so far back and its through a hole that I may not be able to fit the extractor in the hole and be able to unscrew the broken bolt. Unless I can find an extractor thats of the length of the bolt thats broken off.

I haven’t had my hands down there on my X5, but from your description perhaps a drill bit extender would get you through the first hole and allow you to get to the second? It’s all I’ve got, sorry.

so i had to drill out the bolt to the point where i could remove the alternator. But, there still is a piece of bolt frozen in the alternator that i cant extract.How a bolt gets frozen in the alternator like that i don't know. I literally killed a drill trying to extract the bolt

You might want to go see a machinist with a press drill and the appropriate bits

I have to see the exact image to get a picture if you are talking about a bolt whoes job is a hinge pin and the Alternator slides in the alternative you have is to thread and tap the inner part (alternator) drill out the outer part larger and use a shoulder bolt. Idealy this bolt will also reach into where the old bolt broke off but it shouldn't be needed.

In other words: originally there are three parts to the joint and you would end up with two the threads would now be either on the outer or middle part rather than the inside part.


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