Pulling an alternator

Removing the rear-mounted alternator on early 1990s Civics and CRX can be frustrating. After removing the upper adjusting bracket bolt and the lower pivot bolt, the alternator can *almost* come out the top and almost fits behind the intake manifold.

The only easy exit path is out the left wheel well. Side access requires removing the wheel and unfastening three of the plastic retainers holding the upper end of the splash guard. But even this doesn't provide quite enough room. You need to tuck the alternator back under the intake, unbolt the lower alternator bracket (two bolts, 14mm socket) before the alternator can be removed.

The tools needed:

10mm socket -- alternator power connection, battery terminal
12mm wrench -- adjusting bracket
14mm socket -- adjusting bracket, pivot bolt, alternator bracket

Normally you need to remove the drivers side front tire and then take out the axle to make a hole big enough for the alternator to come out.This is the easiest way in the long run and is not that hard to do,just remove the tie-rod end and the the big axle nut and before the nut is completely off put the socket on the nut and hit it hard with a hammer,then you should be able to move everything toward you enough to get the axle out[finish taking the nut off first].now the alternator can come through the hole that you have made.