Hey 4th Gen Cats and Dawgs,

Got the old one out the other day, but couldn't for the life of me get the new one positioned and either bolt started on my back below the jack stand lifted car.

No second set of hands available.

Ideas are WELCOMED!

Thanks in advance!

Every day this song sounds like a real good idea, and better than the day before:

 

I don't think my way is that great, but it's worked before.

Do you have the jack free? For me, with the a/c compressor unbolted, i use a jack to hold it and not allow it to hang. When i need to put the alternator in, having the compressor on the jack gives some maneuverability to make more space for the alternator. Once i have the alternator around the proper place, i have one hand holding the alternator and the other slowly lift the compressor with the jack so that the alternator won't fall. Then from that i can either put in the top bolt, or do the lower one depending on how the situation is looking. Sometimes you can get it to hold itself in place by 100% lining it up, even if i manage to do that though, i lift the a/c compressor until I have a bolt holding it.

And for the lower bolt, having the compressor right below it also really helps as sometimes you have to wiggle the alternator and bolt at same time to get it to line up, difficult to do when you also have to hold all the weight of the alternator. If you're unable to get it in the first try, just rest it on compressor then go back at it. And also one more note, if you do the top bolt first, then you should be able to lower the compressor to give you more space to wiggle the alternator and lower bolt in.


Especially on jack stands, it's very uncomfortable and hard to move around. Last year i had to replace it 3-4 times within a couple days (kept getting bad units until i found a used oem that worked perfect). Was not very fun.

 

I did this a few years ago, and had a biatch of a time getting the nut to bite on the bolt. I finally pulled it down and realized that there was a spacer sticking out of the mounting hole on the alternator. When I knocked that in flush with the flange, it went in just fine. Not sure if this is your problem, but it sounds like it might be.

 

Thanks Gents!

What a BEOTCH!

Wound up getting creative and made my own helper. It was a she. I had to show off for her. I got a wire hanger from the dry cleaners and hooked it where the top bolt goes and pulled it up to where the top bolt mounts. (real close) and then secured it to the top of the engine. (whatever way works for you.)

Then went back under and didn't have the dexterity on my back. Jacked it up a whole bunch more and raised the jack stand and then kept some of the tension on the jack in case the jack stand kicked. Back tire on that side was 6" off the ground. A little light and maneuvering and with some patience, GOT IT! Next did the top bolt and then tightened everything and then the Compressor bolts. Belt on and tension set and locked.

Running now and for some reason, the battery light went off? Guess the alternator was the problem. LOL It tested bad of course.

Next lifetime, I wanna be WEALTHY!

 

CONGRATULATIONS KP!

Look at the bright side. It could have been worse. I still have nightmares about the Nissan alternator in this picture.

 

yeah. I had a sever case of cant find the hole when doing it myself late last year.
kept holding it up with one hand and feeding the bolt with the other till I finally got a match.
Oem Alt from the factory in 95 was electrically fine but the bearings were shot and I got tired of the noise.

 

I found it helpful to loosen the two radiator brackets and push the radiator towards the front. This will give you enough room to drop the new alternator in.