Voltage regulator removal on vehicle

[dave22r]

So here we go again....

Charging issues, all things point to the voltage regulator. Got a new one in the mail today. After watching 50 videos and reading a bunch of forums I didn't think it would be that bad. https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =9&t=51058

Well I got the 3 nuts removed and there's one screw remaining to remove the VR cover. There's about 3/4" clearance and it's a recessed hole. After about an hour of dropping tools, cussing, and my kids making fun of me, I'm stuck. The above mentioned link says use a stubby screwdriver. No way one fits....

Here's what I'm going to do....
- I just ordered this http://a.co/7FMRpsA . If that works I'm good (until I get stuck on something else)
- If that doesn't work I'm thinking about unbolting the alternator and maybe it will rotate enough to get the bolts (after removing the belt of course!)
- And last resort... pull everything apart and remove the alternator.

Anybody have any better ideas......??

[abscate]

I think your chances with that driver are > 95, that's the tool for that job.there are quite a few threads about this but no one mentions the tools used.....grrrrrrrrr.

It's also good to back away when you are battle fatigued....I just had a long job on my P2 and had a few parts in bags that I hadn't labelled and couldn't even remember where they went!

[dave22r]

I hope the tool works. If not the alternator is coming out I guess.

Yeah I learned the lesson to step away over the years. You make stupid decisions...

One more word of wisdom- even if you rig something to get the screw out, have a plan to get it back in. Degree of difficulty is the same, just reverse order!

[abscate]

And stick a cloth under that alternator to catch dropped sockets/screws/false teeth/pacemakers.

[dave22r]

And stick a cloth under that alternator to catch dropped sockets/screws/false teeth/pacemakers.

Bahahahaa! I may have dropped a thing or two yesterday. I'm good at fishing!

[precopster]

I did this on wife"s 2.4T (XC70 2002). and I recall using really long 1/4 inch extensions snaked under the intake. I used an 85 piece Stanley socket set that I have added a few "trick" pieces to from my old Stanley set.

I recall doing this at dusk/night and using a LED work light to avoid glare which is the worst enemy for fiddly jobs in confined spaces.

Since combining the two sets and adding some torx bits I haven't been caught out for any job fiddly or otherwise. I still have the original screwdriver bits that the photo doesn't show. Hidden under the long sockets are 1/4 inch extensions and universal joints.

[dave22r]

I did this on wife"s 2.4T (XC70 2002). and I recall using really long 1/4 inch extensions snaked under the intake. I used an 85 piece Stanley socket set that I have added a few "trick" pieces to from my old Stanley set.

I'll have a look in the morning. I remember thinking the angles are off, but maybe. I'll let you know!

[precopster]

You'll be able to do it with universal joints and the right number of extensions. Try extension bar reducing from 3/8" to 1/4" to get the correct length. Good luck.

[abscate]

I've found my 1/4 ratchet is a lot more useful in a Volvo engine room , I've got a neat " low clearance " one from Kobalt that gets a lot of hidden fasteners.

[precopster]

I agree with Abscate on using a 1/4 inch drive more on these P2s than any other ratchet however in this case you need to make up around 18 inches of extension bar and few toolkits can do this. You could go from 1/4" back to 3/8" at the beginning with the use of a converter then use a 3/8" to 1/4" converter to complete the length.