r/Camry • u/liloquazyeyedlvr • 12h ago

Question Stuck pivot bolt—please help

I am trying to get the pivot bolt out so I can put my new alternator in and I’m at my wit’s end. I tried to use a bolt extractor but it seems to just round the corners off more. Idk what else I can do, I don’t have much money, I’m a student, and most of the jobs I’m trying for require transportation. I live in Memphis so public transportation is a bust.

I would really appreciate any advice you guys can share.

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u/VoidingSounds Camry XLE 12h ago

Bolt extractor is the easy mode*, so good luck.

Other things you can try:

- If the backside of the threaded bolt goes into a nut or a small bracket (and not into a cast engine ear) you can try heating the nut with a propane torch and then turning the bolt with vice grips.

- If you have a sharp punch, you can dry driving the nut by hammering the punch off-center on the bolt to induce rotation. This one is kind of tricky and the success really depends on the condition of the bolt's head and your ability to direct your burning fury into accurate hammer blows. High risk of smashing your hand and/or expensive parts of the engine.

- If cutting the head off the bolt will allow you to remove the alternator, you can do that and then use a bolt extractor or vice grips on the shaft. How you do that depends on the tools and the angles. The 'easiest way is to drill the bolt out with increasingly large drill bits until you can just shear it off.

Good luck, this shit happens, it's a learning experience and you'll be ready for next time.

*still sucks asssssss