Help: Another victim of G50 alternator DIY

[db_autotek]

So i had to change my alternator today, and after many hours and reading almost 15 posts, it's still in the Q.

The alternator is technically free of all bolts/brackets, and i have removed the upper bracket and battery.

What seems to be holding me up is the removal/dropping the compressor. All the posts say "drop the compressor" so i did, but it only gave me 2 inches of alternator play. There MUST be something i'm missing here. How far does the compressor drop? To the ground? I seem to be having some issues with play from the compressor lines. Should I drop the corner brace too?

I consider myself a great mechanic but theres something i'm missing here...

[elwesso]

The alternator really likes to wedge itself in place, its a bear to get out but once its out its fine and they go back in pretty easy...

Just keep fussing with it.

[3Q Jay]

you're there.

did you reposition the external trans filter? that helps.

my *guess* is that the plastic tie straps (2) are holding you from pulling the alt all the way forward. the oem ones are pretty nice--you can actually unlock them and re-use them if you are patient and so inclined. i left the inboard one off...ah hell, the gods of factory authinticity are gonna rain on me.....

[db_autotek]

okay I'll try undoing the plastic hold downs. I did murder the one that attatches to the transmission. honestly by accident... i guess it was brittle. And I will also unbolt the trans filter, according to previous posts it has lots of play.

The ac compresor thing is still baffling me. With the compressor where it is now (only about 2 inches from where it mounts) theres even less room to unbolt/disconnect the stuff from the alternator... from the bottom. Is the comp. supposed to move outta the way more?

[3Q Jay]

2 inches sounds plenty. remember, you are still pulling it 'straight' out the front. repositioning the a/c is just to get a bit more wiggle room for extracting the alt.

[db_autotek]

Okay coolness.. It's becomeing clearer now. I knew there were some things i was missing. I'll give these tricks a try.

[db_autotek]

It's done now thanks guys. I really don't know what my malfunction was, haha. I guess the platic hold downs and the transmission filter made all the difference. I cut those two huge white zip ties, and on re-installation I did not re-attatch the plastic wire shroud on the back of the alt. Changed all 3 belts too! (easy)

Suprised that it's actually a good bit faster now..