I just replaced one of these solo through the bottom, amazed you were able to get it out through the top. It's funny how the time lapse seems to smooth out the obvious aggravation you must have been going through.
I know the pain you guys went through. I dove into this yesterday for my 2003 SVT and it is the most satisfying feeling after you get the alternator free out of the engine bay. I didn't take out my motor mount and move the engine tho. I just muscled it out of there and was lucky i didn't break anything :) but it is possible. Total time for me was like 4hrs lol
Im doing an alternator replace for the second time on an 02 Zetec. The first time i had to get the car towed to a shop because i couldnt get the alt out of the engine compartment! I asked them how they got it out and said they removed the engine mount. Goin to try it myself tonight. Thanks for the upload
So glad you did a time lapse video of this. It does help demonstrate how stupidly difficult this job is. Can you also post your top tips and observations so I can understand what needs to be removed and what the trick is?
Taking alternator out of my 2004 Ford Focus 2.0 DOHC Zetec. Just took out the 2 mounting bolts, hard as hell to remove!! Got stuck on removing plastic cover and removing nut from back of alternator... just broke it off. blah! I'm glad somebody confirmed that there is no 3rd mounting bolt... was beginning to wonder. thx!
Dude, I just did this on my girlfriends car an hour ago and I can attest it is the F***ing DEVIL. I managed to get it out without pulling the engine mounts and completely by myself . You can see at the end they pull out the hammer and start hitting something near the strut tower. That is a ground strap bracket that is spot welded to the frame. You have to bend it to get the bastard out. My forearms are all torn up.
Just changed one today in a parking lot for a friend. Through the bottom, took out the back motor mount bolt for extra clearance and used a ratchet strap to keep the motor tilted the way I wanted it. Came out nicely, but agreed stupid setup.
What's up bro I'm gonna try this on a 2009 focus. I was going for the bottom. You recommend the same process. I ha e no time to waste and I'm doing this for a friend...
+Ken DeJesus I did it from the bottom and by myself no problem. used a ratchet strap from the top of the motor to tilt the motor. went pretty good. good luck
Just did one of these didn't disconnect anything but the alternator. It pretty much fell out the bottom by the sub frame and axle. the new one fit right in from under the car with zero effort so if your going to do this see if you can slip it out from under the car.
Honestly those cars have issues with starting normally if yu hear a low slow clicking sound it could be the ground cables. Just tryna help good luck if you haven't fixed it already👍🏽
no offense, but I think you did it the hard way, no need to remove the engine mount nor the engine lift eye bracket. just disconnect the big wire brackets, and couple of small connections, and if you orient the alternator, so that its pulley faces up, and rotate it just so, that it will clear the plastic intake, the life bracket, the fuel line (no need to disconnect either), as long as you push the wires back towards the firewall, tricky but I replaced mine in about 2.5 hours. Cheers.
@enflamednebula Getting ready to try and tackle this very job--I have the "3" Zetec--which this appears to be--correct? Othe vids have split port (alt in front)--this one in rear (oh joy) thanks for posting
i didn't have to loosen the motor mount at all. Just removed a bunch of the parts above and around the alt and flattened a ground wire tab and rotated the alt a bit and it came right out.
I've replaced mine twice in 2 years. All Ford will sell you is OEM rebuilts. Both times the VRM's failed. The second time I dropped it out through the bottom (required removal of oil filter, but was changing oil anyway, and some wedging around the heater core hoses) but the advantage was I didn't have to rock the engine around to wedge it through the top. Either way its a bad location for a part that eventually fails on everybody. I've replaced all my accessories and by far the A/C compressor is the easiest, while the P/S pump is equally as hard as the alternator because of the location of the bolts.
+Tim W u can find new ones at auto zone or oreillys .. granted youll pay about 50-$100 more but hey at least its not a remanufactured part! lol I just bought one today out the door it was 253 and some change brand new at autozone.. i got a 02 ford focus zx3 DOHC
Yeah, I was trying to stick to OEM, but alas, Ford has proven time and time again that OEM is not always the best. I have friends that used the 6G 135AMP Alternator that CFM sells for $250. It's 15% more powerful than OEM and it's been reliable for them. The most interesting thing about the 6G and other aftermarket alternators is the brackets are different making it easier to wedge in between the firewall and the side of the engine; installation is easier.
+Jerome “Jenk” Jenkins Ye I took a look at the vid because i need to remove my alternator from a different model ford... but it seems to apply to all fords.... did these ppl sit there and plan out the best way to turn a 5 minute job into a fucking 3 hour cursing spat.... Ford.... must stand for, Fucking Outright Ridiculous Designs.
I have an 02 svt focus I had issues with power so I had the alternator tested I later found the pig tail clip was broken I got a new one but I forgot what color wires go were any help plz the tree wires are blue red and gray
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Tell me how. I have to do this on mine in the next couple days, and coming out the top isn't really a feasible option since mine has a supercharger in the way. I really want to avoid taking the supercharger off if I can.
completely agree. I'm replacing my alternator on this same car. if you don't have a lift....its a real f*cking bitch. I've said the f word countless times already. i just got the new one in the car. Took way to long. taking a break cause I'm f*cking pissed off
This could almost be compared to a Doctor delivering a baby. 4guys??? Really? Ford Motor Co. What the hell were you guys thinking with design? This model has been very mechanically reliable vehicle, but a P.I.T.A to work on when maintenance is required. I felt like I was working a Rubik's Cube!
How many people does it take to change N alternator ?? My god. Also, you must have a lot of time on your hands...any small piece of automotive mechanic skills and you would surely realize you just went around your elbow to get to your a$$
Its not that hard I did it on my svt which i would imagine is harder. I did it in about 3 hours. Including the time it took me to go to the store and find it than again these guys are in it to make money so of course their gona take there time
This is by far the worst design. I hate it. For me the clearance of the bolt holes on the alternator is way too tight for the bracket(?). what's the purpose of that? Either make the bracket smaller by a c-hair or the mounting tabs. Very infuriating.
My 2001 was a pain in the arse even broke an expensive fuel pressure regulator sensor that cost 151.00 at Auto Zone..I should of disconnected it..dumbass of me😠
I've done this. Twice. It's no fun. Definitely bad design. The new Focuses have it in the front (at least the ones I looked at). I made sure to look as part of my buying process. lol Traumatizing. To those who use this as a chance to take a dig at American cars, I'm just gonna say it's all BS that foreign cars are made/designed better... With the exception of the alternator and some very minor repairs, my 2003 Focus is still going strong at 225K miles. It's all hype.
Are you kidding me? It took me 1 hour to replace the alternator on this car. JK The design on this car is a biatch. I just did a half shaft, starter and alternator on a 03 Ford Focus 2.0L SVT took me like 7 hrs - never again. haha
lol proof the gloves dont make the mechanic nice gloves horrid way to change the alt. 4 bolts alt is out threw the bottom 3 alt bolts 1 eng mount bolt slide the motor down alt falls right out. 15 minutes, hope someone didnt pay for this.
Авто/Мото
I just replaced one of these solo through the bottom, amazed you were able to get it out through the top. It's funny how the time lapse seems to smooth out the obvious aggravation you must have been going through.
I know the pain you guys went through. I dove into this yesterday for my 2003 SVT and it is the most satisfying feeling after you get the alternator free out of the engine bay. I didn't take out my motor mount and move the engine tho. I just muscled it out of there and was lucky i didn't break anything :) but it is possible. Total time for me was like 4hrs lol
Im doing an alternator replace for the second time on an 02 Zetec. The first time i had to get the car towed to a shop because i couldnt get the alt out of the engine compartment! I asked them how they got it out and said they removed the engine mount. Goin to try it myself tonight. Thanks for the upload
So glad you did a time lapse video of this. It does help demonstrate how stupidly difficult this job is. Can you also post your top tips and observations so I can understand what needs to be removed and what the trick is?
Taking alternator out of my 2004 Ford Focus 2.0 DOHC Zetec. Just took out the 2 mounting bolts, hard as hell to remove!! Got stuck on removing plastic cover and removing nut from back of alternator... just broke it off. blah! I'm glad somebody confirmed that there is no 3rd mounting bolt... was beginning to wonder. thx!
Dude, I just did this on my girlfriends car an hour ago and I can attest it is the F***ing DEVIL. I managed to get it out without pulling the engine mounts and completely by myself . You can see at the end they pull out the hammer and start hitting something near the strut tower. That is a ground strap bracket that is spot welded to the frame. You have to bend it to get the bastard out. My forearms are all torn up.
Just changed one today in a parking lot for a friend. Through the bottom, took out the back motor mount bolt for extra clearance and used a ratchet strap to keep the motor tilted the way I wanted it. Came out nicely, but agreed stupid setup.
What's up bro I'm gonna try this on a 2009 focus. I was going for the bottom. You recommend the same process. I ha e no time to waste and I'm doing this for a friend...
+Ken DeJesus I did it from the bottom and by myself no problem. used a ratchet strap from the top of the motor to tilt the motor. went pretty good. good luck
+Jessy V-W -Thanks bro did pretty much what you did. worked out great. It was the 112 degree weather I was more worried about. :)
thats what i ended up doing. did the work in my garage. Got it done. car is fine now and I didn't waste my money taking it to a shop
Wow, alternator replacement in just 5 minutes that's really good 🤔
Just did one of these didn't disconnect anything but the alternator. It pretty much fell out the bottom by the sub frame and axle. the new one fit right in from under the car with zero effort so if your going to do this see if you can slip it out from under the car.
Good God, this makes me glad I have a Duratec..
just bought an 02 focus and as soon as I got it home alternator died lol. I gotta do this tomorrow.
Honestly those cars have issues with starting normally if yu hear a low slow clicking sound it could be the ground cables. Just tryna help good luck if you haven't fixed it already👍🏽
MY 2005 FOCUS TOLD ME THAT FROM THE BOTTOM WAS EASIER , OMG!!!! IT WAS TOTALLYYY RIGHT. THAXS GOD.
I liked this video even though I hate watching it.
no offense, but I think you did it the hard way, no need to remove the engine mount nor the engine lift eye bracket. just disconnect the big wire brackets, and couple of small connections, and if you orient the alternator, so that its pulley faces up, and rotate it just so, that it will clear the plastic intake, the life bracket, the fuel line (no need to disconnect either), as long as you push the wires back towards the firewall, tricky but I replaced mine in about 2.5 hours. Cheers.
FYI this is actually possible without removing the motor mount, you just have to clock the alternator the correct way after loosening it.
@enflamednebula
Getting ready to try and tackle this very job--I have the "3" Zetec--which this appears to be--correct?
Othe vids have split port (alt in front)--this one in rear (oh joy)
thanks for posting
I did this job outside in 40 degree weather alone and had it out of the car in an hour. I dropped it out the bottom
i didn't have to loosen the motor mount at all. Just removed a bunch of the parts above and around the alt and flattened a ground wire tab and rotated the alt a bit and it came right out.
i have an 03 focus can it be done the same way,i heard i can take it out from the bottom removing the wheel
it doesnt take me that long to take mine off but cool vid
I've replaced mine twice in 2 years. All Ford will sell you is OEM rebuilts. Both times the VRM's failed.
The second time I dropped it out through the bottom (required removal of oil filter, but was changing oil anyway, and some wedging around the heater core hoses) but the advantage was I didn't have to rock the engine around to wedge it through the top.
Either way its a bad location for a part that eventually fails on everybody. I've replaced all my accessories and by far the A/C compressor is the easiest, while the P/S pump is equally as hard as the alternator because of the location of the bolts.
+Tim W u can find new ones at auto zone or oreillys .. granted youll pay about 50-$100 more but hey at least its not a remanufactured part! lol I just bought one today out the door it was 253 and some change brand new at autozone.. i got a 02 ford focus zx3 DOHC
Yeah, I was trying to stick to OEM, but alas, Ford has proven time and time again that OEM is not always the best. I have friends that used the 6G 135AMP Alternator that CFM sells for $250. It's 15% more powerful than OEM and it's been reliable for them. The most interesting thing about the 6G and other aftermarket alternators is the brackets are different making it easier to wedge in between the firewall and the side of the engine; installation is easier.
jezz after watching this i think i'll just buy another car.
+Jerome “Jenk” Jenkins yea holy crap. Step one, remove engine....
+Jerome “Jenk” Jenkins Ye I took a look at the vid because i need to remove my alternator from a different model ford... but it seems to apply to all fords.... did these ppl sit there and plan out the best way to turn a 5 minute job into a fucking 3 hour cursing spat.... Ford.... must stand for, Fucking Outright Ridiculous Designs.
Jajaja
how many bolts are in the alternator? I have two removed but its still solid and I cant see the third
My car has the 2.0 Duratec engine. Any easier or my difficult ?
I have an 02 svt focus I had issues with power so I had the alternator tested I later found the pig tail clip was broken I got a new one but I forgot what color wires go were any help plz the tree wires are blue red and gray
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Tell me how. I have to do this on mine in the next couple days, and coming out the top isn't really a feasible option since mine has a supercharger in the way. I really want to avoid taking the supercharger off if I can.
1 and a half hour hour job total, go from underneath its wAy easier
Will Lloyd h
completely agree. I'm replacing my alternator on this same car. if you don't have a lift....its a real f*cking bitch. I've said the f word countless times already. i just got the new one in the car. Took way to long. taking a break cause I'm f*cking pissed off
Ford should really change their name to Crazy Ex Girlfriend
I think I heard this song on another video, although an alternator was not involved...
meu Deus... pq a Ford dificulta tanto???
I WOULD CHARGE AT LEAST 200 DOLLARS FOR LABOR. AND A LOT OF SUFFERING.
Air tools?
Wow..
Just paid $600 to get this done after firestone. Took them five hours.
***** Yup, that's what I did. All the tools came up to about 80 bucks. Great way to start my tool chest.
$600! they overcharged
Different
jcmarth1 I
02 svt alt this weekend. Yikes
This could almost be compared to a Doctor delivering a baby. 4guys??? Really?
Ford Motor Co. What the hell were you guys thinking with design? This model has been very mechanically reliable vehicle, but a P.I.T.A to work on when maintenance is required. I felt like I was working a Rubik's Cube!
Glad I have a duatec engine in my focus.
Good lord dude Just get it out from the bottom.
Much easier to do this from the bottom dont take no time. I think i done this with my eyes closed.
exactly.. this was some clown shit.. I can remove my se alt. in 6 minutes flat!! and ztec n 20 this was some bafunery
yeah havnt seen 2012 yet but in older taking axle out solves the problem, plus you dont need an army of people pulling engine
How many people does it take to change N alternator ?? My god. Also, you must have a lot of time on your hands...any small piece of automotive mechanic skills and you would surely realize you just went around your elbow to get to your a$$
If you think thats bad check out how to remove the starter. Without a lift your working totally blind.
Really !!!????
Made a meal out of that
Its not that hard I did it on my svt which i would imagine is harder. I did it in about 3 hours. Including the time it took me to go to the store and find it than again these guys are in it to make money so of course their gona take there time
This is by far the worst design. I hate it. For me the clearance of the bolt holes on the alternator is way too tight for the bracket(?). what's the purpose of that? Either make the bracket smaller by a c-hair or the mounting tabs. Very infuriating.
My 2001 was a pain in the arse even broke an expensive fuel pressure regulator sensor that cost 151.00 at Auto Zone..I should of disconnected it..dumbass of me😠
I've done this. Twice. It's no fun. Definitely bad design. The new Focuses have it in the front (at least the ones I looked at). I made sure to look as part of my buying process. lol Traumatizing.
To those who use this as a chance to take a dig at American cars, I'm just gonna say it's all BS that foreign cars are made/designed better... With the exception of the alternator and some very minor repairs, my 2003 Focus is still going strong at 225K miles. It's all hype.
so damn long is have only 1way to out ALT
it's easier to replace a BMW alternator.
Are you kidding me? It took me 1 hour to replace the alternator on this car. JK The design on this car is a biatch. I just did a half shaft, starter and alternator on a 03 Ford Focus 2.0L SVT took me like 7 hrs - never again. haha
Ford has always made it difficult to remove and or replace parts on their cars. Reason they have always carried the stigma POS ford.
This looks like a pain in my ASS! Oh joy... I can't wait to replace it... oh joy!! NOT@!! Ford can kiss my ass.
lol proof the gloves dont make the mechanic nice gloves horrid way to change the alt. 4 bolts alt is out threw the bottom 3 alt bolts 1 eng mount bolt slide the motor down alt falls right out. 15 minutes, hope someone didnt pay for this.
In the middle of the same thing. Trying to get it out. Stupid ford.
This just shows how much Ford sucks