Replacing the alternator on my 1997 Pathfinder. I got the old one out no problem. Now I'm trying to put the new one in, and I just can't get it in place. The lower bolt goes through two tabs on the alternator, one in front and one in back. Those two tabs have to fit around the mounting bracket on the vehicle, and I just can't get it. It seems like the tabs are too close together and they won't fit. But I measured it against the one I took out and it seems to be exactly the same size.
Any trick to doing this? I tried attaching the upper bolt first, hoping that would help me get it aligned, but it still didn't work. I've spent a couple hours on this by now. Is filing or grinding the tabs down a bit an option?
Thanks in advance, Jake.