[FIXED] 2003 Hyundai Elantra Water Pump – Alternator Reinstallation Issue

[Stephen Carney]

Hi,

I have almost completed my first water pump and timing belt installation on a 2003 Hyundai Elantra. All I have left to do is reinstall the alternator belt. However I am running into the following problem. Whenever I try to push the alternator up to put slack on the belt, the alternator hits bracket above/next to it used for tensioning and won’t raise up high enough. Has anyone else ever experienced this?

I had to remove the bracket when I removed water pump since two of its four bolts are actually shared with the water pump. All I can think of is that when I replaced that bracket, perhaps it moved down a little. However, it is held in place by four bolts, two for the water pump, plus two additional bolts, I don’t see how that could be. If I take out the lower alternator bolt, I can get the alternator past the bracket, but then I can’t get it to line back up on the bottom to put the bolt back in.

Any ideas? I have attached a few images to help explain what I mean.

Attachments:

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• 8c97b0abe68303021e2874671c9f26d3

Topic

[James]

Are you sure you have belt routed correctly? Did you get new belt.. right belt? Pulley size difference? Something changed, the question is what. On most models you will put belt on alternator and water pump already and catch slack with tensioner. I know some are tightened with adjustment screws on the alternator. Their should be belt adjustment somewhere. Good luck

[Stephen Carney]

When I put the bracket back on after replacing the water pump, it was slightly out of place. There a little extra room around the holes for bolts in the bracket that allows it to be adjust slightly. After adjustment, I was able to reinstall the alternator. Check out my YouTube demonstrating how the bracket can be moved slightly. Thanks to everyone for their help.

[Author]

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