alternator replacement

my alternator just went plop on me recently. im trying to change it
out myself, which you think wouldnt be that difficult. i cannot for anything get it out of the engine bay. from the bottom side, it hits the axle and is of course just slightly too big to get out. from the topside, it hits the master cylinder and a few other things.

does anyone have any tips on getting the old one out and a
new alternator in? any info would be much appreciated...



'89 Civic Si 1.6L

with some work it does come out underneath the car

from the bottom is the easiest way, just jostle it around until it comes down.

the bottom is definitely the easiest way to do it. The trick is to unbolt one of the two bolts holding the lower alternator mounting bracket on the car. Loosen the other bolt and swing the bracket out of the way. Now the alternator will come down easilly.

well, i finally got it off. i ended up taking the axle out of the tranny and
slapping a new one in there. probably WAY more work thatn necessary
but its done- finally.

i have a b16 with a type r intake manifold, i couldn't pull it out through the bottom or the top, so what i did was get my engine on the hoist and pulled it up a bit and removed the fuel rail and i found a space and it was out.

I think you ARE supposed to take off the axel.

no, you do not have to remove the axle. If you swing that lower bracket away the alternator will come right out- - -usually it falls out. I discovered this trick by swinging the bracket away and having the alternator fall on my head. Since then I've done lots of other alt. replacements for other people and the thing falls straight out every time.

i didnt want to get under my car and all that crap, so i just simply removed my brake booster and it came out all good with no squeezing or shuffling.