[pnthr30]

Just to preface, I am working on a 97 grand caravan.....

I admit, I am new at this DIY thing, but I am having a heck of a time trying to get my alternator out! I was able to get it unscrewed (PITA), the belt is off, but the alternator is still stuck on the bottom (where the bottom screw was). I can swivel the alternator front to back, but I cannot pull it up to free it up.........not to mention the fact that even if I were able to "free" it up, I don't think I have enough room to slide it out. What do I need to take out/off to get this bad boy out of there? I have the top part of the bracket off (needed to do that to reach the back of the bottom mounting screw and hold it from spinning). Other than that, I didn't really take off any other parts. What needs to come out/off for me to gain enough room to get the alternator out? I have heard that the wiper module needs to come out. Anything else? What is the secret here?

Thanks a lot!

Also, going one step further, how hard it is to get a new one put back in, the belt back on, and the tension correct?