See the photo below from my efforts to change my alternator on my 2007 Toyota Yaris.
I am at 115,000 miles, I would expect better based on Toyota's reputation, but then again I don't buy the hype either, so at 115,000 miles I'm not overly surprised to be replacing the alternator.
But what really pisses me off is the simple fact that I am prevented from doing this simple routine mechanical repair BY STUPID ENGINEERING.
Take a look at the lower mounting bolt in the picture below. Notice on the upper hand end of the bolt that there are aproximately 1-2 threads visible. Notice on the lower hand side that the head of the bolt is contacting a bracket and can be moved out no further. This bracket is secured with 1 bolt, and this bolt does not have adequate clearance for any kind of socket wrench.
This bolt has enough engagement that it prevents the alternator from being removed.
This is very basic stuff. Knucklehead Japan engineers probably never touched a wrench in their lives, and they probably did their clearance study based on the wrench without even thinking about the fact that the bolt is longer than a socket and wrench.
Just plain stupid.
If anyone has any slick tricks to get past this before I take a pry bar to the alternator and pull until something breaks I would appreciate it.
I am at 115,000 miles, I would expect better based on Toyota's reputation, but then again I don't buy the hype either, so at 115,000 miles I'm not overly surprised to be replacing the alternator.
But what really pisses me off is the simple fact that I am prevented from doing this simple routine mechanical repair BY STUPID ENGINEERING.
Take a look at the lower mounting bolt in the picture below. Notice on the upper hand end of the bolt that there are aproximately 1-2 threads visible. Notice on the lower hand side that the head of the bolt is contacting a bracket and can be moved out no further. This bracket is secured with 1 bolt, and this bolt does not have adequate clearance for any kind of socket wrench.
This bolt has enough engagement that it prevents the alternator from being removed.
This is very basic stuff. Knucklehead Japan engineers probably never touched a wrench in their lives, and they probably did their clearance study based on the wrench without even thinking about the fact that the bolt is longer than a socket and wrench.
Just plain stupid.
If anyone has any slick tricks to get past this before I take a pry bar to the alternator and pull until something breaks I would appreciate it.