2003 LS 3.9L Alternator Replacement Issues

[jmcgregor30]

Hey Guys,

First time poster. I've gone through and read all of the Alternator install issue posts but I'm having a little bit different issue.

I've got the belt off, cars jacked up and everything is moved out of the way per the instructions. I've got the nut off of the top bolt but I can't quite figure out how to remove that bolt and I can't see it. But the main issue I'm having is the lower bolt is out but it's jammed up on the top of the sway bar and I can't for the life of me pry it loose.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I do all of my own work and I've never ran into an issue that's kicked my butt like this one, I just spent 5 hours working on this and most of it was spent trying to pry the lower bolt loose.

 

[04_Sport_LS]

It might be froze up. If you can get in there with a small propane torch or heat gun, (without melting anything), you might be able to expand the sleeve the bolt goes through. Soaking it with PB Blaster might work too.

 

[jmcgregor30]

I've got it soaking in PB Blaster for the night. The head of the bolt is actually stuck on the sway bar itself. My next plan was to disconnect the sway bar. What do you think?

 

[04_Sport_LS]

Forgot about the sway bar, and over looked that in your post (duh). Sounds like you have the right idea. I thought someone found a workaround for the sway bar not too long ago. Try the search bar below your user name. Type "alternator bolt removal" (without the quotes).

 

[jmcgregor30]

*Update*
I was able to jack up the engine slightly to remove the lower bolt. I think this was the biggest PITA alternator replacement I've ever done!

 

[cammerfe]

The first time I had to change the alternator on my '02, I was laying in the dirt, in the dark, and using a flashlight. However, I didn't have any problem with the sway bar. Had to do it by feel but it pulled back far enough to let the alt come free. Then it was just a matter of maneuvering it past all the stuff underneath.

KS

 

[04_Sport_LS]

*Update*
I was able to jack up the engine slightly to remove the lower bolt. I think this was the biggest PITA alternator replacement I've ever done!

THAT'S what the workaround was. Now I remember. Nice job.

 

[joegr]

An alternative to jacking the engine up (jacking the engine up is the easier solution) is to remove the right sway bar bracket and disconnect the sway bar end link of the right side.

 

[nghtshd88]

This was a major PITA to take out. I have seen some people removing the bracket but I learned today that you can get the alternator out without removing it.