As I was replacing my headlight bulb, I noticed the bolt holding the alternator seems to be backed out based on the smooth and shiny portion I could see and the gap. When I went to tighten it......it would not budge. At this point I'm not convinced it is loose. Is there so much tension on the belts that I would need to loosen it before attempting to tighten? or is it the way it is on all xfires? I'd hate to find out the hard way...on the freeway if it backs out all the way. Thanks

 

Ok Heres a pic. If anyone could take a peek at their own and let me know if they see the same thing or is this supposed to be tightened all the way down. service manual says like 11 lbs of torque though I know I put much more than that and it didnt budge. Any help would be much appreciated!

 

looked at my engine and i have a female torx bolt in that position but it isnt sticking out like your foto.
one possibilty why you cant tighten it may be due to the belt putting tension on the alternator. maybe take the belt off and see if it will move.

 

This is what mine looks like. I had to take a brake from workin on my resume. And in the last pic theres another mystery crossfire owner who parts next to me hummm lol
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Your bolt is not loose. They look loose but that is how they go together. Last week I transfered my alternator to my V8 and that is exactly what they are supposed to look like.

 

EXCELLENT! thanks guys! I was gearing up for loosening the belts to try and tighten. Headache and confusion averted!

 

O CRAP...your's is loose too!! thanks for the pics....totally puts my mind at ease.

 

Guys-looks like a washer/spacer to me...

 

The part you see is just a support bushing for that end of the bolt, the tightening is done at the other end of the bolts (2) using threads in the casting. The arrangement pulls the generator against the rear supports. Thats what I see anyway.

 

Generator? Someone is showing his age.

 

Not quite, I used the word as used in the official shop manual. I could have used alternator, but that word is missing entirely from the shop manual and I would not want someone to start looking for one in the manual.
I am a real dynamo when it comes to looking for answers though.

 

180.... your still and old f@r+....

 

If this was on an aircraft, I would assume I'm looking at fore/aft spacers (shims) to ensure belt alignment (manufacturing stack tolerances could drive the alternator pulley slightly fore or aft - during engine assembly I would assume there is a belt alignment check with a method to "zero" tolerances and ensure alignment)... Just a thought.

 

Yep-good call.

 

What you see is a bushing that fits the outside diameter of the bolt and the inside diameter of the casting, the shoulder of the bolts push against the bushings forcing the generator against the rear casting and locking it in place. Any pulley mis-alignment would be capable of being taken up by the length of belt from the idler and the water pump pulleys.

 

The tightening routine for the alternator is fairly important. The proper sequence is to adjust with the mount bolt just barely loose, then tighten the mount bolt, pivot bolt and adjustment mechanism bolt

 

There is no adjustment bolt, the adjustment is the tensioner pulley.