It looks like my girlfriends 2002 SL2 needs a new alternator. I think I remember reading in a post recently that this is a pain, and looking at it I would have to agree since the alternator is under the powersteering pump above the tranny between the engine and firewall. So the question is, should I even attemp this with a basic Chinese wrench and socket set, or just bite the bullet and pay a local shop to deal with the hassle?
Can't be that hard, warranty time is .9 hours, maybe a 2 hour job if you have a hoist.
Remove windshield if you want to go out the top.
It's really not THAT terrible, just takes a little practice. Easiest way is to remove the RF wheel and wheel well liner, get under the car and do the lower bolt and the wiring on the back of the alternator, get the upper bolt from up top. Then, move to wheel well area and pull the alternator out. You have to take the wheel off to get to the belt tensioner anyway, so it doesn't take any longer. If you have an assistant, the job will take 1/3 of the time, all that moving around takes time!
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