1991 240SX Alternator removal

[JCMITO]

I'm having a really hard time removing the alternator. I"m trying to get it out through the bottom but I can find the right combination to do it. There isn't one thing I can remove to make it easier. Any suggestions?

[Frank E Bones]

Remove it from the top. I removed the battery, the radiator hoses, my intake and anything else that was in the way and I still had to rotate it just right to get it out. Good luck. My cars a 98 but it shouldnt be much different that yours. Good luck getting the new one back on.

[LoserCard]

Remove the fan shroud if it's still in your car.

[raven2345]

I took it out from the bottom. I have an automatic, so I have even more lines in the way (trans cooler lines to the radiator). I just pushed the radiator and trans lines out of the way. You just have to keep manipulating it to get it out. Mine has been out countless times. Good luck.

[JCMITO]

Thanks for your feedback guys. I'm getting desperate. I feel like taking the alternator apart to make it smaller.

[raven2345]

Yea, definitely don't. Lol just push all the hoses around and keep twisting it every way you can.

[JCMITO]

I removed it from the bottom. It was hard but was able to do it. Found one at Kragen for $130. Had them check the old alternator and it works according to them. Took the battery to have it checked and according to them it doesn't work. The reason I thought the alternator wasn't working is because when I jumped the car, the car would die right away when I removed the jumper cables. I guess I'm putting the old alternator back and replacing the battery.

[JCMITO]

Just to wrap this up.
I bought the new alternator for about $190 (minus $45 for core.) I got up early in the morning and disconnected the battery and was getting ready to get under the car for another couple of hours of struggle to get the old alternator and put the the new one in. I had driven the car with the new battery to Kragen and they were able to hook it up and told me that the alternator was not putting out anything. Just before I was about to start the job, it occured to me to look at the fuses in the engine compartment and discovered that there was a 75A fuse for the alternator. I knew these existed but never knew there was one for the alternator. Pulled it out and of course Kragen does not carry this kind, so I went to the Nissan dealer. I got a new one for $30 and the guy confirmed that it was bad. I replaced it and this was the problem. I took the alternator back and got my $190 back. Problem solved.
The question is why did it happen? Well, it just happens that maybe a couple of weeks prior, I had to jump start the car and I'm pretty sure I hook it up wrong (trying to rush.) The cover that goes on top of the battery covered the signs on the posts. Dumb thing to do, but I learned my lesson. Thanks everyone for your input. I did end up replacing all the belts which were in pretty bad shape.