Sorry if this was somewhere else, my alternator went out on my 2005, unfortunately the bolt was so corroded that normal means to remove the alternator didn’t work so I had to do some drastic action.

Alternator is off, bolt destroyed.

Cant really find a new bolt, did find one at a hardware store but it is not the grade 8 metric equivalent so I feel it’s too soft. Tried to use it anyway but the alternator just flops when it’s in position.
With the first replacement alternator I tightened it to try and stop the flopping and broke one of the bracket arms on the alternator, took it back and got a replacement.

Big question is, was there a spacer or something to keep the alternator from flopping that I didn’t see because of my corrosion problem? Or do you just tighten the bolt and hope you don’t break the alternator?

guess the second question is where can I get a proper bolt if the local auto zones/Napa doesn’t have a way to look for them or have something that works? Looked on a Toyota website too and no luck.

thank you! That fixes part of the problem.

thank you, I ordered a bolt from somewhere, it works but was just a bit too long, had to put a couple washers under the head to get it in right.

unfortunatly within 60 seconds the alternator locked up, so I have to get another replacement alternator, meaning that was the second new one, the first cracked at the housing. I have changed many alternators in my past with different vehicles, I feel like scrapping this car because it has a bad alternator. I am extremely frustrated with it at this point.

thank you, I may have to look into that, we don’t have very good salvage yards around here unfortunately and if you find what you need it costs more than at a dealer.

I took the alternator into a hardware shop and figured out the size and thread but they didn’t have the right length or hardness, I have since ordered and installed a bolt.

I generally get new parts, a bolt wouldn’t be that big of a deal however, except it’s not easy to get to.

For all those involved I’m optimistic that the car is going, haven’t driven it but it ran with no warning lights, smoking belts or other noticeable issues so now we just pray!