So, I've finally got the old alternator out, the new in, the wires hooked up, the upper and lower mounting bolts in, and I'm almost done, right? Wrong. I can't seem to get the bolt holding the little sheet metal brace on the back tightened. All I can figure is that there's something wrong with the threads on the new alternator -- the bolt goes in half way and stops, and will not go any further.
I know what the right thing to do is... take the alternator out, go back to the shop, and feed it to the counterman. But right now I'm sorely tempted to just leave it. With the mounting bolts in the alternator is definitely not going anywhere, and it runs fine, with no weird noises or vibration. Does anyone know what that brace is for? Or what trouble leaving it out might cause me in the future?
