alternator job

[99SE]

Well My alternator bit the big one again. Luckily the part has a lifetime warranty so its free. The first time I let someone else do it but I'd figure I'd try this time. Man was it tuff. I do believe that I found an easier way to take off the top bolt though. If you hands are small enough (using 3/8" drive) put the 13mm socket on the bolt, put on a 2" extension on that and then put a u-joint on the extension. Angle the u-joint back towards the rear off the car. Using about 1.5 feet of extensions slide them above the subframe crossmember in between the floor board of the car and to the left of the mesh part on the exhaust. If you angle the u-joint right then it will slide right together. Then just take it out. I tried the other way of taking 3 feet of extension to the drivers side and it was a big PITA and I found this way extremely easy.:laugh: I can probably take out an alternator in about 45 minutes now. Now that I know what needs to be done. It took me about 3 hours last nite. Now for tonite I have to put the new one back in. Sorry about the long post. :nonono:

One question though. The pulley that is located directly above the alternator, it seems loose and has some slop in it. Is it supposed to be that way. I don't believe it hooks to any thing its just there.

 

[Big Jim]

That pulley is a belt idler pulley. The drive belt is routed around it. Look at the belt map under the hood somewhere. It will be more obvious when you reinstall the belt after installing the alternator.

With the belt off, it should spin freely. It should not wobble. If it wobbles, the bearing in it needs to be replaced. The bearing might be available only with the pulley. When the bearing comes the rest of the way apart it will throw pieces around, including the belt.

 

[99SE]

It does shake a little. How do I take it off? How much do you think the pulley is? I'd guess that I would have to get it at the Ford dealership.

 

[99SE]

Well I put it all back together. After all is said and done its not that difficult. Gotta definitely get the car off the ground. It took me about 1hr and 40 minutes to get it all back together. It definitely tight around there. I was lucky enough to be able to squeeze my hand up through there and work on it. My hands feel bruised and scratched up today. Glad that its running again.