Yeah, as you can see the bolt head is ripped off. I was in the middle of tighten this and boom.

Well the belts are still tight, it drives fine but i just worried something will happen. i have yet to find the part as i cant remove it.

 

Yeah you might want to replace that bolt. You dont want your alternator to be bouncing around. Other than that tensioner bolt, there is only one more holding it at the bottom. You have to loosen it before you turn the tensioner.

The mitsu dealer can order you that bolt.

 

Yeah, the vibrations in the engine bay will cause problems there... Definitely get that replaced asap.

 

Hmmm...I guess I'm not the only one that had that problem. That's a horrible design on Mitsu's part. It doesn't take much force to snap the head off like that. I just found a bolt about the same length and the same threading and ground the threads off at the top to make it fit. Easy $.25 fix. However you do it, definitely get it fixed.

 

wait, what else do i have to loosen?

 

Samething happened to my car... I never replaced the bolt.

that bolt is only used to adjust tension on the belt. there is another bolt that holds the alternator in place.

 

Just an idea, but if that many people are having an issue with it, maybe you should let Mitsu know. They might come out with a TSB (or there might already be one)...it could even have them replace it for free if it's determined that there is enough of a problem with them...no promisses on that though...

 

A bolt under the alternator. 14mm I believe. You have to have that one loose before you adjust the tensioner or the bolt will break. Looks like thats what you were doing.

 

i actually think i have all the pieces for the alternator tensioner... i WAS going to replace mine but i never bothered with it since mine was in good shape. i just bought it all when i had to replace my power steering tensioner components.

PM me if you'd like to buy the stuff off me. i can also get you a diagram and part numbers if you need 'em, too.

 

It's been a while since I messed with this myself, but as I recall the two points that anchor the alternator are the previously mentioned bolt on the bottom and the bolt that goes through the side of the square block the tension adjustment bolt goes through. As long as both of those are tight you should be safe to drive. Just remember that you do need to loosen both before you can adjust the tension though. Although I could be wrong, I don't have my manual with me right now and I can't tell from the pictures.

 

Man what were you trying to do to brake that off, your belt shouldn't be as tight as a guitar string.