damn... stripping that allen head was not good The only thing I can suggest there is either removing components till you can get access to it with a vice grips, or perhaps pounding in an allen or torx into the thing that is the next size up.

there are 3 bolts holding the bracket on. 2 allen and 1 12MM at the top. you HAVE to remove the one at the left and the 12MM bolt at the top that also holds in the AC bracket. once that's done you can stick an extention down to the bracket and bang it down with a hammer (toward the rear of the car) and the long bolt holds the alternator on that you can't remove with the bracket in it's proper position can be removed. once that's done it's an easy job. careful not to bang the bracket too hard or it will break. the bracket is like $50 for a new one or a real bitch to get out at the junk yard.

the non saab mechanic thing to do (which I have seen very often) is to take an air hammer to the firewall and make some more space for the bolt. I would never recommend this personally, but about 1/2 the C-900's I have seen at the junk yard have had this done to them....

 

so i broke the fuckin bracket


fuck

anyone have one for sale?

 

rotfl

my friend james drilled a hole in the firewall to get a alternator out of his junk c900

hope someone finds you a bracket! I feel for ya man.

 

yeah I got you for a bracket. I only have one left though, and it will cost ya If you paypal me $20 (that includes shipping) It will be in the priority mail to you tonight (I am shipping right now). you probably won't have it tomorrow, but maybe. the next day for 100% sure.

sucks about that bracket, but I'm sure the alternator is out at least, eh?

 

The key to the job at hand is having the "PROPER" tools! This is one of thoes jobs that spending a few extra dollars on the proper tools ends up saving your sanity! I have removed quite a few never having a problem! Getting to the bottom bolt is done best with a ball ended hex socket. You can get them from snapon, ebay or sears. The ones I got from sears are short but they work with an extension... They are made by S K tools. As for the top one that you stripped out, I agree with Delorean use a Torx, unless the bolt is REALLY stripped out the torx will grip it and come out. Also, there is a chance that if you get the ball end socket, you may be able to cock it slightly enough and it may grip it. Good Luck!!!

 

I found the tool on ebay... Auction #180180821719. Also, how did you break the bracket???

 

how did you break the bracket???

generally it happens when you think "fuck this stripped out bolt" and "attempt" to remove the alternator with the bracket still fully in place. haha... it looks like there miiiiight just be enough room to do it, then as you are forcing the alternator to swivel a bit you hear a "tink" from the bracket and there isn't...

 

well the lower allen I have never really even had to touch. Once the upper bolt and the left allen are removed, a few light taps with a socket extension knocks the bracket down far enough that you can extract the lower long alternator bolt and you are home free.

breaking that bracket normally costs about as much as 2 sets of nice allen sockets (required for the job) so it's well worth it to have the right tools.

 

LOL... that is funny in a not so funy kinda way! I guess I can see that! That brings to mind trying to remove the water pump off of a Bimmer 733 I used to have. Getting to the bottom bolt was impossable without removing the rad. I ended up getting pissed off at it and breaking it with a chisel! I almost never loose my cool but damn that got to me! I think it might have been the bloody knuckles caused by the rad!

 

I almost never loose my cool but damn that got to me! I think it might have been the bloody knuckles caused by the rad!

sounds like when I am having a bad day at the dismantlers :lol:

 

One time I was

trying to remove an exhaust manifold bolt on a c900 and got so pissed I took the prybar I was using for something and put it through the windshield of the car.

i was young. it was a parts car. but still.

Those alt brackets are a whore and a half. I saw a guy here in Nashville trying to get an alt out of an 86 900S 16v one time, I heard him cursing and clanking, etc for about 1 hour. Finally I went over, he' mutilated everything within 2 feet of the alternator. But still couldnt get it out. I showed him how, came out in 1 minute. He was pretty stoked.

 

yeah it is for sure one of those things you have to know how to do exactly right, or something always gets broken, or a big hole gets cut in the firewall.

 

When you put the alternator back in flip the bolt around that connects the alternator to the bracket so next time, yes there will be a next time, you have to take it out it wont be such a tight squeeze with the firewall. I has having some reoccurring problems with my alternator and that goddamn bolt was a large motivation for me removing the a/c:lol:

 

Old thread, but this man is a genius.
I'd like to add save some time, get a replacement bolt in advance, get it out far, then cut it with a demo saw instead of taking the bracket out.

 

if you can get torx head bolts to fit, replace the allen with those. or, use a regular bolt.

there might not be enough clearance to get a socket down between the alternator and oil filter bracket, so perhaps getting a new allen head or torx head bolt is the only way to do it.

for the bolt on top of the alternator - i have twice stripped this allen head bolt. no more. a hex head bolt is far easier to deal with in this location, which is what i put in before dropping this engine into my car.