Tightening Alternator Pulley?

[nigelmercier]

This may all be immaterial, as I managed to blow up the alternator last night.

With my new layout, the pulley was right on the end of the shaft, which I'm not too keen about. If I can't fix the alternator I will have to buy a new one, which will probably have a shorter shaft. Either way, I'm considering one of these: http://r.ebay.com/opESjg

Only problem is, how do you tighten the nut?

 

[sailorman]

do you own a socket set

 

[nigelmercier]

do you own a socket set

I own five socket sets, two on the boat. Your point?

 

[sailorman]

[Only problem is, how do you tighten the nut]

 

[prof pat pending]

You need an impact driver to go with your socket set

 

[rogerthebodger]

With my new layout, the pulley was right on the end of the shaft, which I'm not too keen about. If I can't fix the alternator I will have to buy a new one, which will probably have a shorter shaft. Either way, I'm considering one of these: http://r.ebay.com/opESjg

Only problem is, how do you tighten the nut?

Tighten the pulley nut hand tight with the socket and extension. Then wrap a the vee belt around the pulley gripping the belt around the pulley tightening further with the socket + ratchet. Mount the alternator on the engine with vee belt fitted and tensioned. Then you can tighten the nut up to the specifier torque it there is one.

 

[nigelmercier]

OK, I'll rephrase the question. How do you tighten the but AND hold the Allen key in the shaft?

I guess what I need is a 24mm socket with external flats, like spark plug sockets often have.

 

[KevinT1]

OK, I'll rephrase the question. How do you tighten the but AND hold the Allen key in the shaft?

I guess what I need is a 24mm socket with external flats, like spark plug sockets often have.

/QUOTE]

Or a Box spanner - probably cheaper, but maybe not strong enough

Kevin

 

[Pagetslady]

OK, I'll rephrase the question. How do you tighten the but AND hold the Allen key in the shaft?

I guess what I need is a 24mm socket with external flats, like spark plug sockets often have.

Where does the Allen key come into it,you didn't mention that before.?

 

[Strolls]

[Only problem is, how do you tighten the nut]

I'm pretty sure OP's question is "how do I hold the shaft of the alternator to stop it from rotating, so that I can tighten up the nut".

A moped of mine, a Yamaha C90, I think, required a special tool for this. In the absence of this my attempts to hold the shaft by other means caused the alternator to become loose when riding. I think this happened twice, and damage occurred the second time.

 

[Alpha22]

The end of the alternator spindle generally has a hex socket in the end. An Allen key is usually used to hold the spindle stationary while a spanner is used to tighten the nut. With a recessed pulley you are going to have to get cunning to hold the spindle and tighten the nut at the same time.

Either.... hold the pulley with a belt... or..... use a socket or box spanner so you can get the Allen key into the spindle end whilst tightening the nut.

 

[BERT T]

Quite simple, put a piece of oversize section belt on the alternator pulley then use a chain type oil filter wrench to stop the pulley rotating and tighten the nut with a socket.

 

[nigelmercier]

The end of the alternator spindle generally has a hex socket in the end. An Allen key is usually used to hold the spindle stationary while a spanner is used to tighten the nut. With a recessed pulley you are going to have to get cunning to hold the spindle and tighten the nut at the same time...

Indeed, hence the question. Where can I get a 24mm socket with external flats?

 

[William_H]

If you want to use the allen key. ie you can't hold the pulley tight enough as described... I would use a piece of rope twisted to tighten it around the pulley. Put the twitsted end in a vice to hold it.
... Then you will need to grind flats on the outside of the socket enabling it to be held by vice grip pliers or possibly a crescent spanner. You will need to use the allen key long leg in and short leg out to turn so will need an extension on the short leg of the allen key. good luck I hope the extended pulley works out. olewill

 

[prof pat pending]

Indeed, hence the question. Where can I get a 24mm socket with external flats?

You need what's called a pass thru socket set
Or, if you already have them, save the money, put a socket on an impact driver tried and tested method of achieving what you want to do.

 

[Len Ingalls]

Use an electric impact gun,as used in tyre shops. You don't nee allen wrench then-you can hold pulley with a gloved hand.Cheers/Len

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/clarke-cew1000-electric-impact-wrench

 

[RobbieW]

Faced with a very similar problem, I managed to find an offset 24mm ring spanner that fitted inside the pulley recess

 

[RobbieW]

You need what's called a pass thru socket set
Or, if you already have them, save the money, put a socket on an impact driver tried and tested method of achieving what you want to do.

Always a little wary of whacking an alloy casting (ie alternator frame) in a direction its not well supported for by using an impact driver

 

[prof pat pending]

If you're whacking the frame, you won't get the nut to move

 

[parbuckle]

Something like this might work http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-924-944-968-technical-forum/816138-alternator-pulley-nut-removal-special-tool.html but you may need more than a hand angle grinder to make accurate flats.