How do I get this alternator off??

[97SHOgt]

Trying to get the alternator off of my '92. I loosened the long bolt in the front and the two in the back, the ground and the plug. Now how do I relieve the tension on the belt. Am I missing something else. It's somewhat loose but won't come off. Any quick suggestion would be great. I'm sure it's easier then I'm making it.

 

[JRA2000TL]

Right above the tensioner there's an allen wrench fitting...I think it's 5mm. It looks like it's on a plastic thing or part of the timing cover. I was looking for something on the pulley itself when I needed to loosen mine, but it's not....if you're looking straight down, it's staring up at you. Stick an allen wrench in there and turn it to loosen it. You will have to turn it quite a few times probably. That relieves tension on that belt so you can slip it off the alternator.

http://www.shophoenixproject.com/lower60k/lower60k.htm

Step 7 2nd pic.....take a look.

 

[SHO1]

Also have to loosen the 15 or so mm nut on front of tensioner pulley or it won't release tension when loosening the allen adjuster.

 

[badcamelot]

Reading your post you list 3 bolts holding the alt in place, there are 4. You to release tension on the serp belt and then remove the one tensioner directly in front of the alt, there is the fourth bolt (you cant see) behind it. Some suggest removing the battery and the battery tray, I have not needed to. You will need a 13mm for all the alt bolts and tensioner, but the move the main spring tensioner you will need a low clearance 15mm (i think its 15) and a long bar. Loosen the belt, remove the tensioner in front of the alt, not the spring one, and then the forth bolt. You will need to loosen the 10mm bolt on the rear of the alt also to remove the wire hook up and unplug another wire harness and that's it. It will lift right out, just giggle it slightly toward the batt.
Im not sure what hex bolt is being discussed, i looked at the link and still wasnt sure. My car is an ATX and perhaps for a MTX there is something not on an ATX.
Good luck

 

[Rubix]

Im not sure what hex bolt is being discussed, i looked at the link and still wasnt sure. My car is an ATX and perhaps for a MTX there is something not on an ATX.

The ATX and the MTX have different tensioners, as you have noticed by now. If the engine is an MTX then the procedure is as Jeremy described in the 2nd post. If the engine is an ATX then you attach a ratchet or wrench (cannot remember the size, I want to say 14mm) to the nut which looks as though it's holding the pulley on the engine. Stand at the front of the car and pull the wrench toward you, the nut will not turn but the pulley will move toward you and a bit downward. The farther forward you pull on the pulley the more slack it allows. To put the belt back on, do the same procedure - pull the pulley forward to put some slack in the belt, get the belt sitting right, and let the pulley fall back into place (don't let it snap back into place).