Alternator bracket will not thread in?

Tiny
CHRISTOPHER IVAN ROEDER
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 HONDA ACCORD
  • 3.0L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 291,789 MILES
On my way home from work I heard my drive belt/v-belt/accessory belt or whatever you want to call it squealing. So took a look and apparently the top bolt on the alternator bracket will not thread in to its spot I can just pull it right back out which leaves no tension on the belt at all. What can I do to solve this? Please help I've got no clue here thank you for your time and help in advance.
Thursday, January 30th, 2025 AT 6:34 AM

15 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,348 POSTS
Can you use a longer bolt? Maybe get a nut on the backside? Can you upload an image so I can see what the problem is? If not you may need to use a Helicoid or replace the part which it bolts down too. Here is the alternator diagram so we can be on the same page. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Friday, January 31st, 2025 AT 10:14 AM
Tiny
CHRISTOPHER IVAN ROEDER
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I marked the bolt and the problem I don't think I can get a not on the end because it goes into that bracket under the engine, I could be wrong though.
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Friday, January 31st, 2025 AT 11:26 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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You will need to do some exploration to see what the problem is. You might be able to replace the mounting bracket.
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Saturday, February 1st, 2025 AT 9:44 AM
Tiny
CHRISTOPHER IVAN ROEDER
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I ordered one of Amazon should be here today I'll let you know how it pans out/ if it pans out. Thanks again.
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Saturday, February 1st, 2025 AT 12:51 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Sounds good, if you can upload images, it will help as well.
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Sunday, February 2nd, 2025 AT 8:45 AM
Tiny
CHRISTOPHER IVAN ROEDER
  • MEMBER
  • 127 POSTS
So they sent me the bracket that holds the alternator cables that bolts on the top but I need the bolt that goes through the side of alternator and screws into something on the underside of the engine I haven't been able to find online very easily because I'm not sure of the size of the bolt, thread pitch etc, so any information on that would be extremely helpful but I'll take some pics when I go back down to work on it thanks again.
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Sunday, February 2nd, 2025 AT 10:30 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yes, these sizes can be difficult to find but they tell you to thread pitch on the diagram I provided above.
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Monday, February 3rd, 2025 AT 8:01 AM
Tiny
CHRISTOPHER IVAN ROEDER
  • MEMBER
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Which number is the thread pitch on the diagram? Sorry not familiar yet with the numbers on bolt dimensions or what not.
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Monday, February 3rd, 2025 AT 9:10 AM
Tiny
CHRISTOPHER IVAN ROEDER
  • MEMBER
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Here are a couple of images that I took really quick, but in the daytime, I'll take a couple further away. Again, thank you very much for your time and help.
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Monday, February 3rd, 2025 AT 10:02 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Thanks for the images, it is hard to tell if the threads are damaged? If the threads in the mounting flange are bad you will need to Helicoil it to fix it. If I can get images of the threads, I can tell for sure.
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Tuesday, February 4th, 2025 AT 9:14 AM
Tiny
CHRISTOPHER IVAN ROEDER
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Okay, do you know if that mounting flange is removable otherwise it's going to be hard getting a drill in that space not much room at all.
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Tuesday, February 4th, 2025 AT 1:08 PM
Tiny
CHRISTOPHER IVAN ROEDER
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Here are those pics of the inside threads I hope they are okay.
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Tuesday, February 4th, 2025 AT 4:26 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yep, you can see the threads are damaged but not all of them, I would try a longer bolt, it should fix it, I would take the bolt to the hardware store and match up a longer one. Also, they will have a thread tap to chase the threads which will help clean them up for a better installation. Thanks for the images they help.
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Wednesday, February 5th, 2025 AT 8:03 AM
Tiny
CHRISTOPHER IVAN ROEDER
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So as I was working on it earlier, I noticed something I didn't realize before. The bracket on top of the alternator that holds the cables in place was cracked which now makes sense to how the bolt got messed up obviously because it was bearing all the wait from the bracket being broken or at least that's my assumption thanks so much for your time, your help and most certainly your patience it's greatly appreciated.
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Wednesday, February 5th, 2025 AT 2:04 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yep, good find, that can't be that way you will need a new one or have it welded back together.
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Thursday, February 6th, 2025 AT 8:55 AM

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