I have not seen that many that have needed to be changed. I have 164,000 miles on my SVT with the original alternator.
Yes, it will come out with just removing the right wheel and disconnecting the tie rod. Yes, it is still tight. Some insist on removing the right CV shaft instead of the tie rod and it does give a bit more room, but it is not necessary.
The hardest part is getting the upper bolt loose.
