So my alt. Died. I got everything unhooked and whatnot, But i can't get the fucking thing out. I've even gone as far as draining the radiator to take off the lower hose. it's still not coming out. I've spent the better part of 2 hours trying to move it in every which way there's just things blocking it at all paths.



Please tell me there's a secret or a trick before i set my truck on fire.


I need this done by tomorrow afternoon, so anything is much appreciated.



Thanks in advanced.


oh by the way it's an '87

did you get all the bolts out cause i think there is one on the lower part of the alt!

yea it's completely unhooked. it's just sitting loose cradled in with all the other hoses,lines,and bracketry.

seriously i've turned it 360 degrees in every which way, taken the lower radiator tube completely off,and it just wont come out.

I'm steps from setting this thing a blaze.

The only things that should be in your way is the ps pump and the upper alt. bracket. Unbolt them and it should slide out with ease.

If all else fails grab a piic and post it here. maybe then we can see whats obstructiong it.

Is that for if you are taking it out the top?

it's the front Ear of the lower Alt. ( the "swing" mount) and the metal coolant tube going to the water pump( i assume). thats stopping it the most.


I've been trying to take it out the bottom if that helps.

you should be able to pull the alternator out from the top. under the hood...i would think it would cause a lot more hassle to take it out from underneath the truck because you have to dodge all the steering stuff. if the truck doesnt have power steering like quinn (mizombie) said, you should be able to unhook the two bolts (one long one at the bottom and the short bolt on the tensioner) then remove the belt and it should just wiggle loose...they fit very snug because that isnt something you want any play in while the engine is turning. i usually keep a large crowbar (about 3-4' long) in the garage for cases like this. so if you have a large crow bar you could use it to wedge in between your alternator and the lower bracket along with wiggleing the alternator you should be able to pry it out of the bracket...it may take 2 people but nothing extreme.

well,hah,suppose that wasn't too big of a mistake.

The truck does have power steering, and there's yet more shit in the way to pull it out.


I can't even describe out defeating this is. Since yesterday the alternator has been completely disconnected and just sitting inside the jungle of hoses and brackets.
the Alt. isn't stuck in the bracket, it's completely loose and i can rotate in any direction, i just can't pull it up or out.


So take out the entire power steering bullshit and all the misc. lines? Does this not seem just insanely complex to change an alternator? Sure aint a '56 buick with a small block in it,hah.


thanks thus far guys.

you should still be able to pry it out with the power steering stuff there. possibly loosen up a couple bolts or whatever and slide it off to the side, but you shouldn't have to dissconnect anything. its going to rotate because there is like a little washer thing at one end of the alternator...its like a spacer thing that keeps the tension with the alternator in the bracket. also, the alternator bracket has a tapered peice on the left side (if you looking at the alternator from the drivers side of the truck) it would be best to slide, wiggle, and pry straight out or maybe a little downward. dont try to pull it out straight up out of the bracket or straight down. like i said, with a large crow bar and another person you can wiggle and pry at the same time, it should just slide right out.

you shouldn't have to remove anything from the power steering, just loosen it and shove to the side. I haven't had the torture of ps on my truck so my alt. is easy to remove.

i know when i pulled mine out it was a bitch. i had tp pry the damm thing out. so try qand get under it and just pry it out