86 4 dr waggon alternator help

My alternator decided to crap out on me today on my way home from work. My father in law mentioned something about one time he had it sent to a shop to replace it and they had to drop the drive axle. I think this sounds a little extreme and probably isn't true. If anyone has changed an alternator is a car like mine and has any helpful hints, please let me know

Remove it from the bottom and make sure no one is around when you do. Otherwise they will think that you have tourettes syndrome due to all the cursing going on, and will probably send you to the happy house. You can do it without removing the axle, but it might help if you do.

You can just support the engine with a jack under the oil pan, remove the bolt for the front driver's side mount, and gently tilt the motor by letting down the front corner of the motor until you can squeeze it out. Also helps if you take the driver's side front wheel off as well.

With a little man-handleing of it, I managed to get it out without dropping or removing anything. Hopefully the installation tomorrow will go as smooth as the removal did today. Thanks for everyone's input :iceslolan