I am far more familiar with this problem than I'd like to be, having replaced several alternators in the past two years. One problem is that you MUST loosen all the bolts on the top bracket plate because the alternator has an eccentric swing (not a contant radius arc) - that means if the plate bracket can't move freely, the nut on the adjusting bolt eventually binds and the rod begins to bend. Another thing to watch is that after many years of use (my car has 320k miles on it), the through-bolt wears down so that the part going through the bracket gets slotted, trapping the rod in the bracket and making it very difficult to pull out. You really have to fiddle with it, wiggling while you're pulling. It helps if you know some German cuss words and can hurl invectives at it in its native tongue. Sorry I don't have any pictures, but it's too damned cold out.

Best Regards,
Rob

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Robert Fini

'12 ML350 BlueTec, 87k
'06 E320CDI, 270k
'05 T1N Sprinter 2500/Pleasure-Way Plateau TS, 69k
'97 C36AMG, 313k (son's)
'94 E320T, 249k
'93 190E Sportline LE, 168k (daughter's)
'84 190E-2.3/5spd (Stage Rally Racer)
'66 230 W110 Sedan (Barn Find, Vintage Racer build in progress)