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  #1  
Old 01-31-2011, 05:35 AM
mcpink mcpink is offline
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Default Replacing Alternator - Tips and/or Tricks?

Buddy here at work just told me the alternator on his '03 FX4 died on the way in to work. Any of you guys have tips and/or tricks to replacing the alternator? Any gotchas he should look out for?
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Old 01-31-2011, 05:44 AM
STL STL is offline
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Default Re: Replacing Alternator - Tips and/or Tricks?

Extra set of hands to pull on the tension pulley while you put it over the alt. Pulley
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Old 01-31-2011, 06:38 AM
edgeman4.0 edgeman4.0 is offline
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Default Re: Replacing Alternator - Tips and/or Tricks?

^what he said. he should probably also join frf as well...

aside from that, the PROPER belt tensioner tool. not just a 3/8" drive socket wrench and a cheater bar.lol other than that, its a fairly simple swap. while you're there, throw a new serpentine belt on it as well.
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Old 01-31-2011, 08:02 AM
mcpink mcpink is offline
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Default Re: Replacing Alternator - Tips and/or Tricks?

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Originally Posted by edgeman4.0 View Post
^what he said. he should probably also join frf as well...
LOL, too true. I gave him the card and talked to him about it back in June. I don't think he interwebz.
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Old 01-31-2011, 08:47 AM
FireRanger FireRanger is offline
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Default Re: Replacing Alternator - Tips and/or Tricks?

It's very straightfordward. Remove belt. Remove wires. Remove alternator. Attach alternator. Attach wires. Put belt back on. Enjoy newfound flow of electrons.

Releasing the belt tensioner and pulling the belt off without a second person is the only challenge but it is doable.
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Old 01-31-2011, 10:45 AM
mcpink mcpink is offline
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Default Re: Replacing Alternator - Tips and/or Tricks?

Good deal. Thanks for the input guys!
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Old 01-31-2011, 11:22 AM
ackyle12 ackyle12 is offline
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Default Re: Replacing Alternator - Tips and/or Tricks?

Ya, i just did mine this weekend cause it went out! and extra set of hands just to put the belt on is nice. Try hitting the old one with a hammer if you get stuck, i got away with that twice before i replaced it.
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Old 01-31-2011, 11:29 AM
FireRanger FireRanger is offline
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Default Re: Replacing Alternator - Tips and/or Tricks?

It's amazing what you can fix with a little physical violence once in a while. My transfer case was stuck in 4lo on the beach one day. Beating on it with a tire iron got it to shift.

Just don't hit the alternator too hard. If you break something loose inside it, it could get real ugly.
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Old 02-01-2011, 04:58 AM
crowdpleazer crowdpleazer is offline
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Default Re: Replacing Alternator - Tips and/or Tricks?

advance auto alternators have a lifetime warranty so bash away!

there not the best ones but ive got one on my truck and it works great, knock on wood
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Old 01-20-2013, 11:53 PM
Cheez-It Cheez-It is offline
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Default Re: Replacing Alternator - Tips and/or Tricks?

Can't find a "How To" on changing the alternator.
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  #11  
Old 01-21-2013, 01:13 AM
AmericanPride! AmericanPride! is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FireRanger View Post
It's very straightfordward. Remove belt. Remove wires. Remove alternator. Attach alternator. Attach wires. Put belt back on. Enjoy newfound flow of electrons.

Releasing the belt tensioner and pulling the belt off without a second person is the only challenge but it is doable.
Let's not forget the first step EVERYBODY missed.

Unhook the battery! One slip with something metal and you'll be replacing some master fuses.

Learned that on my first belt swap when I was 16. Had a 91' escort GT at the time.
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Old 01-21-2013, 01:30 PM
Cheez-It Cheez-It is offline
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Default Re: Replacing Alternator - Tips and/or Tricks?

Im working on a 2005 ranger and the alternator is a B to get too.

Any thought? I have the belt and both bolts off but its still not loose and I can't figure out how to get to the wires in the back of the alternator
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Old 01-21-2013, 01:43 PM
vista4.0 vista4.0 is offline
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Default Re: Replacing Alternator - Tips and/or Tricks?

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Originally Posted by Cheez-It View Post
Im working on a 2005 ranger and the alternator is a B to get too.

Any thought? I have the belt and both bolts off but its still not loose and I can't figure out how to get to the wires in the back of the alternator
cause there is 3 bolts
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  #14  
Old 01-21-2013, 02:11 PM
Cheez-It Cheez-It is offline
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Default Re: Replacing Alternator - Tips and/or Tricks?

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Originally Posted by vista4.0 View Post
cause there is 3 bolts
Really? I only count 2 bronze bolts that I can see.

And I need a picture of the alternator. Cant seem to get the wires out from the back.

Out of all the cars and trucks I have owned, this takes the cake for hardest alternator to replace. Its just where its located is 90% of it
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  #15  
Old 01-21-2013, 02:17 PM
RoberticusMaximus RoberticusMaximus is offline
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Default Re: Replacing Alternator - Tips and/or Tricks?

i bet the third mounting bolt is behind there...

i can see the bottom & back of the alternator from under the truck too, so if you haven't tried that direction...(i have a different motor than you but same alt location i believe)
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