Expert: Roland Finston - 1/29/2012

Question
QUESTION: Hi Roland.  The car is a 1990 Chrysler Imperial with 3.3V6.  I need to replace the alternator and in order to that, must de-tension the serpentine belt.  I've found the tensioner and it looks like I need to get a 15mm wrench on the bolt and turn the tensioner clockwise.  Problem is, there's precious little room.  Not enough room for a wrench and socket.  Perhaps enough room for a long, thin 15mm wrench.  Is that the right approach, or is there a special tool?

Thanks,

Doug

ANSWER: Hi Doug,
It is easier to get at from the front of the engine which you can do by removing the wheel house splash shield between the wheel house and the engine compartment (behind the front wheel on that side). You remove the wheel, then gently lift on the center 'dot' of the push-pin fasteners. That will give easy access to the tensioner for belt removal.
Roland

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Roland.

Right you were.  The serpentine belt is now clear of the alternator.  Would like your advice on a few issues related to getting the alternator out.

The lower alternator mounting bolt is quite difficult to access.  It looks like the only way to access it is from underneath the car.  I can get a 15mm box end wrench on it but cannot get enough leverage to loosen it.  Even if I could loosen it, with the lack of room, it would be a 12th of a turn of the wrench at a time.  Any ideas?

Secondly, once the alternator is disattached, it looks like it has to be removed from above, but the clearance between the alternator bracket and the firewall looks too tight.  Definitely not enough room to drop it down and remove from underneath the car. Does the manual have an approach for this?

Thanks again,

Doug

Answer
Hi Doug,
Here are the steps, but the diagrams I can't easily get to you except by xerox and postal mailing:
Loosen the nut on the support bracket at exhaust manifold (but do not remove,(this bracket is on the side of the engine, held in place by a nut at the maifold at the rear end and a bolt at the front end which attaches to the maain a-t-ps bracket)
Remove the alternator-tensioner-power steering bracket bolt
Remove the tensioner stud nut and the tensioner from the alternator support bracket
Remove the alternator mounting bolts
Remove the power steering reservoir from the alternator mounting bracket
Remove the three alternator support bracket bolts (these are at the lower end of the bracket)
Remove the intake plenum-to alternator mounting bracket bolt
Remove alternator support bracket
Position alternator and remove wiring
Remove alternator

I hope this suffices.

Roland