Replaced my alternator in about 45mins.
#1
Replaced my alternator in about 45mins.
It was super easy:
Remove bolt from passenger-side motor mount.
Remove bolt from front motor mount.
Jack engine up as high as it will go.
Remove FPR.
Remove bolts that hold AC and PS lines in place (strut tower and next to timing cover).
I believe that is all I did.
Alternator came right out, next to the strut tower.
WARNING: I did scrape the paint on the rear of the valve cover. I don't really care and nobody will ever see it, but the hard parkers may wanna avoid this method It also will scrape along the ABS lines, but they move a bit, so no big deal. It is probably possible to prevent the scratches with some ingenuity and more patience.
Alternator came right out, with pulley facing the valve cover. It went right back in the same way. Minus time I took replying to texts, phone calls, and playing with Pandora, I think the actual job only took about 45mins.
Remove bolt from passenger-side motor mount.
Remove bolt from front motor mount.
Jack engine up as high as it will go.
Remove FPR.
Remove bolts that hold AC and PS lines in place (strut tower and next to timing cover).
I believe that is all I did.
Alternator came right out, next to the strut tower.
WARNING: I did scrape the paint on the rear of the valve cover. I don't really care and nobody will ever see it, but the hard parkers may wanna avoid this method It also will scrape along the ABS lines, but they move a bit, so no big deal. It is probably possible to prevent the scratches with some ingenuity and more patience.
Alternator came right out, with pulley facing the valve cover. It went right back in the same way. Minus time I took replying to texts, phone calls, and playing with Pandora, I think the actual job only took about 45mins.
#4
EvoM Guru
iTrader: (12)
Glad to see that this method worked out for you Kaj
For me it was easier to pull the axle and take the alternator out from the bottom. After trying both methods, I just can't see it worth spilling gas, scratching up the ABS, AC lines, rear valve cover, and side of the intake manifold as opposed to dripping a little TC fluid by pulling the axle.
Either way, good work!
-pal215
For me it was easier to pull the axle and take the alternator out from the bottom. After trying both methods, I just can't see it worth spilling gas, scratching up the ABS, AC lines, rear valve cover, and side of the intake manifold as opposed to dripping a little TC fluid by pulling the axle.
Either way, good work!
-pal215
Last edited by Pal215; Jan 31, 2017 at 05:07 PM.
#5
Glad to see that this method worked out for you Kaj
For me it was easier to pull the axle and take the alternator out from the bottom. After trying both methods, I just can't see it worth spilling gas, scratching up the ABS, AC lines, rear valve cover, and side of the intake manifold as opposed to dripping a little TC fluid by pulling the axle.
Either way, good work!
-pal215
For me it was easier to pull the axle and take the alternator out from the bottom. After trying both methods, I just can't see it worth spilling gas, scratching up the ABS, AC lines, rear valve cover, and side of the intake manifold as opposed to dripping a little TC fluid by pulling the axle.
Either way, good work!
-pal215
If I had a pretty car and couldn't bring myself to risk scratches and scuffs, I may have tried another route, once I saw how tight the fit was. My car is so far from show quality it's not even funny LOL
Note for original post: I have a IX with MIVEC stuff in the way. Someone with an VIII will find this even easier.
#6
EvoM Guru
iTrader: (12)
I scratched stuff because I don't worry about aesthetics enough to prevent it. I'm sure I could have taken my time and used a rag or something. Nobody sees any of the areas that got scuffed. The AC lines have no paint on them, so i really, REALLY didn't sweat that. True I did spill an ounce or two of gas. Not worried about that either, but preference is preference.
If I had a pretty car and couldn't bring myself to risk scratches and scuffs, I may have tried another route, once I saw how tight the fit was. My car is so far from show quality it's not even funny LOL
Note for original post: I have a IX with MIVEC stuff in the way. Someone with an VIII will find this even easier.
If I had a pretty car and couldn't bring myself to risk scratches and scuffs, I may have tried another route, once I saw how tight the fit was. My car is so far from show quality it's not even funny LOL
Note for original post: I have a IX with MIVEC stuff in the way. Someone with an VIII will find this even easier.
Well at least you're not being a sissy and actually using the car for what it's built for. Show is nothing without go. A lot of the FWD guys don't understand this concept...
-pal215
#8
Evolved Member
iTrader: (3)
I changed my alternator this past weekend and holy crap this was the most annoying thing I've ever done on a car. I haven't done anything crazy like pulling out an engine but this was just super annoying. I brought it out the top of the engine also but it took me a good hour or twisting, turning and scratching stuff up to get the alternator out. Putting it back in surprising took not more than 10 minutes but glad I went with an oem alternator and not autozone. Don't want to change this for another 10 years... Next time I'll try removing the front MM which I didn't do, just the passenger. Maybe taking off the front will give me more clearance when lifting the engine.
Also my tensioner pully where you attach a breaker bar to to loosen the belt broke. Had to install a new one of those as well....
Also my tensioner pully where you attach a breaker bar to to loosen the belt broke. Had to install a new one of those as well....
#9
EvoM Community Team Leader
Well if you are going through all the work anyway you might as well throw a new belt on there. At least I do when ever i have to take it off. What are you guys doing with your old cores? I have been wanting to try my hand at repairing/reconditioning/upgrading one of these and mine has yet to fail.
#10
Evolved Member
iTrader: (3)
My core is just sitting on the kitchen counter... I did get a little form that came with my new alternator to ship the new core in but it didn't say anything about compensation so not sure if I should send it in. Maybe rebuilding it would be something cool to try/learn.
#11
EvoM Community Team Leader
My core is just sitting on the kitchen counter... I did get a little form that came with my new alternator to ship the new core in but it didn't say anything about compensation so not sure if I should send it in. Maybe rebuilding it would be something cool to try/learn.
#12
. Next time I'll try removing the front MM which I didn't do, just the passenger. Maybe taking off the front will give me more clearance when lifting the engine.
Also my tensioner pully where you attach a breaker bar to to loosen the belt broke. Had to install a new one of those as well....
Also my tensioner pully where you attach a breaker bar to to loosen the belt broke. Had to install a new one of those as well....
Sorry to hear about the tensioner breaking. Holy crap. Never seen that before.
Well if you are going through all the work anyway you might as well throw a new belt on there. At least I do when ever i have to take it off. What are you guys doing with your old cores? I have been wanting to try my hand at repairing/reconditioning/upgrading one of these and mine has yet to fail.
My core is chilling. I would like to try to fix it.. I'm a DIY guy. Maybe I will, seeing how I don't know what else to do with it. Mine came with a core form to fill out and send back to Mitsu.. but I think that's for dealers only.
#13
EvoM Community Team Leader
There are usually only 2 causes of failure on these things. The most common being the brushes wearing out. The brushes are nothing but spring loaded metal pegs that make contact with the spinning rotor to excite the field. These are like 4 bucks to replace and some pretty easy solder work. The other thing would be the bridge rectifier which is a little harder to replace but still pretty easy. I would probably just replace both as well as the bearings at the same time, because why not its all cheap and your already in there.