Tranny Dipstick Tube, Bolt the Bracket to the Alternator

[Roger Garrett]

Recently looked around under the hood (1990 V-6 automatic) just to look around mind you - I'm mechanically deficient - and noticed the tube was not attached to the back of the alternator.  What's the description of the bolt I need to purchase?  Roger Garrett, Flower Mound TX

[Hemi Dude]

2 hours ago, Roger Garrett said:

Recently looked around under the hood (1990 V-6 automatic) just to look around mind you - I'm mechanically deficient - and noticed the tube was not attached to the back of the alternator.  What's the description of the bolt I need to purchase?  Roger Garrett, Flower Mound TX

There is a small bolt missing from the power steering pump dipstick tube BRACKET. Ask your local mechanic or a friend to come up with a bolt and install it for you.

Do this when the engine compartment is cold, preferably.

[Garnet & Gold]

There is a good reason for the bolt not being in the power steering tube and that being you can't get to it.  The picture shows the nut you want to replace.  It has a 10MM head and attached from the fire wall side.  The alternator has been removed for better visibility to the location.  Yellow arrow points to the bolt connecting the tube to a bracket and you can also see the hole where the power steering attaches.

[Roger Garrett]

First, a confession to ya'll.  If I had read the words Power Steering on the dipstick, I would not have come across as a . . . . dipstick!  Yes, I looked at it again this morning, and for the time being I am using a thick, black duct tape material to secure it to a wiring harness.  It appears as though you need to take the alternator off to get the bracket on correctly.  Ugh!  Thanks to Hemi and Garnet & Gold for the quick response.  I have owned Red and Blackie (16 valve) for what i believe are 8 and 6 years respectively.  I am good at keeping them clean and serviced, but my under-the-hood persona is lacking.  I have owned 4 Corvairs, 2 Dodge Shelbys, and 2 Corvettes in my lifetime . . . but I can honestly say the TC's are my favorite.

[Mark_Blodgett]

Nice, I agree with you. Many cars i have had, my all time favorate is the  

[Hemi Dude]

On 5/2/2020 at 7:24 AM, Garnet & Gold said:

There is a good reason for the bolt not being in the power steering tube and that being you can't get to it.  The picture shows the nut you want to replace.  It has a 10MM head and attached from the fire wall side.  The alternator has been removed for better visibility to the location.  Yellow arrow points to the bolt connecting the tube to a bracket and you can also see the hole where the power steering attaches.

 

What I don’t understand is “There is a good reason for the bolt not being in the power steering tube and that being you can't get to it.”

 

I just opened my hood and took this picture. I am a couple days late with a picture, but this shows the ‘tube retaining screw’ right there and easy to get to. As you see, it has sheet metal penetrating threads, so anything you find with a 10mm or 3/8” screw head should work out.

[Garnet & Gold]

Bro,

I think the difference is the V6 versus the 2.2 in getting to the bolt.  I even removed what appears to be an AC sensor and still all I could do was to get the socket on the bolt and no wrench.  Even my flat wrenches that are hinged by the "socket", I had no room to keep the drive in place and rotate it.  My 2.2's are at the shop and you don't have a V6 handy.

[Hemi Dude]

16 minutes ago, Garnet & Gold said:

Bro,

I think the difference is the V6 versus the 2.2 in getting to the bolt.  I even removed what appears to be an AC sensor and still all I could do was to get the socket on the bolt and no wrench.  Even my flat wrenches that are hinged by the "socket", I had no room to keep the drive in place and rotate it.  My 2.2's are at the shop and you don't have a V6 handy.

But Bro, the picture is of one of our two 3.0L vehicles. There is no dipstick tube on a 2.2L.

[Hemi Dude]

 THIS ONE...

[Hemi Dude]

Here is the PS Dipstick TUBE bracket attachment screw on my wife's 94 Dodge Shadow. EASY to reach as well.

Someone must have broken the mounting bracket and "mickey-moused" another one, just to make it difficult. 

Try finding one in the junkyard that is easy to reach, remove the 10mm screw and just PULL the dipstick tube out of the adaptor 'boot'.

 

[Garnet & Gold]

Roger,   Can you provide us with a picture looking down the power steering tube.  Thank You

[Hemi Dude]

I guess you will get NO reply on this one Bob.