We are in the process of replacing the alternator in my 98xj. Everything was going fine as we got all the bolts off the old alternator except the one at the bottom, where the edges of the bold are worn off and we can't get a socket to turn on it without slipping.. Not much space to cut anything out. Has anyone experienced this or have suggestions? Thanks!

 

take a metric that is a smaller size you don't really care about and beat it on... have done this with a couple jeeps. It doesn't always work so maybe wait until you got nothing else to go with.

 

and if that doesn't work go to Sears and get a set of "bolt-outs." saved my butt on a similar issue. Nothing else would have fit, and if that didn't work I was going to have to disassemble a lot of stuff to get a drill in there... they look like a gimmick tool but they work.

 

Thanks for the advice guys. We ended up grinding the head off and wiggling the old alternator out and getting a new bolt.. Got lucky I guess.

 

Also, use a 6 point socket next time I'd you didn't this time.

I refuse to use 12 point sockets...and almost never have this issue. Even spent the extra money on 6 point closed end wrenches.

 

Channel lock or vise grip

 

+1 on the 6 points. I haven't used 12 points in ages so I guess I just assume that everyone else only has 6 points as well. Only reason I have 12 points is you need them for some ARP fasteners. I don't think I've used them in 10 years.

But yeah lots of sets come with 12 points, I don't know why... buddy's GF bought him a mechanic's tool set for xmas (how awesome is that) and I actually had to explain to her to make sure the set had 6 points in it...