My alternator has been making a loud clicking/taping noise that increased with engine speed. After doing an internet search I determined that it was more than likely the bearing (BTW, my battery was having some issues as well, draining after sitting for 5+days).

This weekend I replaced the alternator. After a lot of research, I have to admit I was a little nervous. It was much easier than I thought it would be.

Here is my story, I picked up a TYR alt from rockauto.com as it was reasonably priced and had no core charge. I also picked up coolant...though I did not need it.

First I removed the bumper and the big metal crash thingy. I then removed the crush tube on the pass side (not described online but in the Bentley manual). Once I did that and removed the liner from the pass side wheel well and unattached the upper radiator hose from the block, i could actually swing the radiator and shroud about 4 inches out to get to the alternator...now I have some pretty fat arms, so I had plenty of room to work. I obviously removed the belt and then the upper bolt holding in the alt. I got on my back and removed the two bottom bolts and viola the alternator came out easily. I removed the two cables and reattached the new alternator, new belt and reassembly.

It was much easier than I predicted/expected. I wish I could tell you how long it took but when ever I have my garage open the neighbors come to see... it becomes a social event. I would say it took no more than 3 hours total which included social time, reacquiring some tools a neighbor "borrowed" etc.

On a scale of 1-10 I would say it was not more than a 4 with most of the time being the disassembly and reassembly of the bumper and fender well.

Just my $0.02

 

Grats on the swap success! Is the TYC brand new? or a rebuilt Denso unit?

 

Brand new- TYC Part # 211049

#rockauto

 

Hope it'll outlive the OE Denso one. Thanks for the info.

 

Can I ask how is that alternator holding up? Any problems long term? I need to do this as well and this Alt is like 1/2 the cost of re-man ones. Makes me a little nervous it has such a low price......

 

2 years and 30K miles later and it is working great! No bearing noise and the battery is charging fine.

 

Great! And thanks for the quick reply! I will tackle it this weekend

 

Alternator still rocking on? About to buy one of these.

 

Great to hear its still trucking along.

I always grow suspicious about non-oem alternators and how long they will last. With the few TYC items I have purchased, I have never had any issues with them so very cool.

 

Reviving an old thread. Is it sufficient to simply place the front end in 'service mode' (plus remove the passenger side fender well) in order to R&R the alternator? Original poster seemed to think it was necessary to disconnect one end of the upper radiator hose.