The alternator on my car went kaput. Nowhere in my area would do the job for less than $800-something, and most places were quoting $900-$1k.
So I looked up how-tos on YouTube and it looked like something I, a woman with zero experience or knowledge of working on cars, could do.
I got a remanufactured alternator for $180 and got to work following the tutorials I’d found.
It certainly did not go smoothly, but I managed it. It took me 6 hours to get the alternator out, mainly because every goddamn bolt holding the parts in place were basically cemented in. I had to use my foot to stomp one loose because I didn’t have the strength in my arms.
Today I spent another 4 hours trying to put in the new one and all the parts back in place. And I did it!!
Except for the power steering belt. That fucker would not go into place, and trying to force the belt tensioner back took every ounce of strength I could muster.
All that work. All that time and effort and THE VERY LAST STEP to get my car up and running defeated me today. I had to get a task rabbit guy. He’s coming tomorrow to get my belt back on.
On one hand I feel proud that I made it this far. On the other I feel like a complete failure because it turns out I couldn’t complete the task myself.
Anyway, how was your weekend?
That’s a major success and you should be super proud of yourself! You saved a ton of $$ and learned something new - total win-win!
Sounds like your car did not defeat you, and like you kicked a lot of ass. Serpentine belts are a giant pain in the ass - fought with one myself today. Just gotta have the right tool, which in this case is one of those that gets used once every 5 years unless you work on a lot of cars. You did great, and should be proud of what you accomplished!
Oh, that makes me feel better that I’m not the only one that struggles with them. And yeah, I was so jealous of the people in the video for it. Thanks for the pick-me-up, I feel better about it.
I hate serpentine belts. Even with the right tool (rented from the auto parts store), the tight clearances always make it a royal pain in the ass.
Listen, I took autoship in highschool, my dad talked me into doing an engine swap on his 1969 Volvo and got me to do all kinds of maintenance on his 1955 Chevy pickup truck, all before I turned 18. Out of highschool I got a job in a shop that specialized in Mazda rotary engines. I have worked on so many cars for money and as a favor for friends and I can tell you I have been similarly defeated so many times by similar simple things. It happens to everybody sooner or later, even guys with giant toolboxes and years of experience. Sometimes you just need help, and that’s ok.
I’m proud of you, cuz I know how these kinds of jobs can be, and how exhausting it is just getting hard to reach bolts undone. You’re not a failure, you are great. Bongo Stryker says so.
In some cars you really just need an extra set of hands to get a belt back on. One person on the tensioner and another actually moving the belt into place. Don’t feel bad, feel good. You did great.
Props on getting so much done!
trying to force the belt tensioner back took every ounce of strength I could muster.
You need a breaker bar. Already have one? You need a breaker bar and a pipe 😀
