Originally posted by tcjones95lx:
Depending on the engine (V-6 requires removal of right drive shaft, lower ball joint, and exhaust y-pipe...) it should take a couple of hours. Ford OEM alternators are more expensive than aftermarket, and a independent shop may have a better price.
I replaced mine (V-6) on a Saturday (took me all day). The rear support bracket bolts are tough to loosen and you have to wire together to ends of the driveshaft and support the driveshaft while it out the CV joints will separate. Don't forget to check the serpentine belt while its out.
No need to remove ball joint, or driveshaft, or y-pipe. I have done the install/removal 3 times on my car... Here is my How-to for the alternator on a 2.5L V-6.
Hope this helps make your decision...
- Take the passanger's side wheel off
- Remove the two splash guards that are around
the driveshaft
- Disconnect the tie rod only
- Disconnect the 3 wires that go to the alternator
- remove bottom two bolts (Unbolt the black
bracket from the alternator, not the block)
- To get to the top bolt, I ran a long extension
from over near the driver's side wheel, with a
swivel type socket on the end of it. It was
VERY tight, so use high quality/strength tools
- Once all 3 bolts are out, the alternator is
still wedged quite hard in the brackets, so you
need to get a good grip on it and pull it out
of the bracket. It took alot of my body weight
on it to get it out, and I am a big guy, so
again, if its not on a lift this could be quite
challenging
- After a few bashed knuckles the alternator
should be out, and with a little finessing, you
should be able to squeeze it out with out
touching the drive shaft.
- As for replacing the brushes and regulator, I
took mine to a shop and had them replace the
brushes. To change out the brushes, just unscrew
the four screws, and take them out carefully,
so you donā??t loose a brush in the alternator.
