('95 GST) Is it worth $40 labor to replace alternator?

[deadlyforce]

I have done a lot of reading and searching, and most of the help is referring to 1gs (VFAQ). I am putting in the '96 Galant 90 amp alternator tomorrow, but it appears that there are a lot of methods to doing so. Take off the fan and/or wheel well, or jack up the engine...I'm not sure what the best method is. Almost every thread has a different response on how to do it. Should I go out there and try to do it, or just pay the $40 to have a local guy come and do it? If there is a detailed, tried and true method to it, please let me know.

Thanks!

 

[RedTurboEclipse]

if you really don't want to do it yourself i don't see why not. if my friend offered to pay me to do an alternator change on a 2g, id only charge them $20 or to buy me dinner. So take that in comparison.

It's pretty straight forward, easier if you remove the ac fan, even easier if you remove the entire radiator, but that is overboard, just the fan will do.

all i did was remove the fan, and everything was straight forward from there. might be a bit more work if you have an fmic and pipes route that way by th e alternator. one time with a setup like that, i was so lazy i didnt remove the ic pipe or the fan, yes i still got it done, of course the 2nd time around after removing the fan and pipe, i found out taking 10 mins to remove those saved me a lot of time than leaving them on thinking it would save me time.

 

[ECLIPSEESPILCE]

Learning to do it your self will help you with other things in the future but $40 is cheap. Never done one myself, remove the wheel, side panel then:

 

[RedTurboEclipse]

I never removed the wheel. i dont think its necessary. i forgot if I pulled the alternator from the top or the bottom.

 

[ECLIPSEESPILCE]

I think it makes access to the wp/ps pulleys bolts easier. I never removed my alt just been in there for the timing belt. I got the pic/procedure from ALLDATA.

 

[chadnum1]

Dont be lazy. Its good experience. Remove the four bolts that hold on the radiator and loosen both radiator hoses. Lift the whole assembly out and then theres tons of room to access the alternator from the top. Plus you can inspect the turbo lines while its out and flush the radiator while your at it. I change my belts with this method. Makes it so much easier and faster.

 

[copper]

I just changed the alternator last week on my dads gst. All you need to do is remove the a/c fan and drivers side splash guard and that should give you more than enough room to work. I would recommend that you do it yourself since it's very easy. I'm probably as cheap as RedTurboEclipse as I would only charge someone lunch to do it for them.

 

[JayRolla]

Most shops charge a minimum of 1 hour and thats usually $75. $40 is pretty cheap, but it only takes 15-30min to do. Get a shop manual and do it yourself. Its pretty easy once you get in there are start taking it apart.

 

[lowandsleekDSM]

Yea for me to take an alternator out of my 2G, it took me longer to drive down to the auto parts store and get an alternator and drive back . Its really simple, i would def. get a chiltons or something along those lines and just go step by step, you`ll be happy you did that yourself

 

[luv2rallye]

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/newbie-forum/220125-alternator-removal-help.html

 

[Defiant]

I'd pay the $40 just to keep the grit out from under my fingernails. But, I'm all dainty like that.

 

[andy4g63]

Exactly, well said. 2 days ago I've changed alternator on my car and it is 1G and my engine bay is very easy to work on and yet is still 35-40 min, since I don't have a lift, so $ 40 is a good deal, especially on a 2G.

 

[gpz750]

I've changed mine a couple times, and it still takes close to 30 mins. I usually take the powersteering pump loose and move it. Makes it come out the top real easy. So 40 is not a bad price.

 

[siceclipse]

im on the fence with this one.

its only 20-30 min to change out (thats nothing compared to say and AWD clutch, or new head gasket)

BUT 40 bucks to do it!

i would go with the 20-30 min cause im cheap!

 

[Rob10_99]

All you need to do is remove the a/c fan and drivers side splash guard and that should give you more than enough room to work.

Yep, A/C fan and you should have enough room to get it out. A good set of smaller rachets with a wobbly head will help a lot as well.

 

[gsxeclipse97]

Yes remove the fan and it will make it much easier. I just did this a couple of days ago. Took about an 1hr to put everything back togther. having the tools makes a huge difference.

 

[diatenshi]

To me it is better to pay the 40$, because its so damn humid here, and I just don't have the room, time, or tools at my new place anymore. Gotta get a new set. >_<

 

[gregalmighty]

Do it yourself and save the $40 to put towards a new exhaust

 

[deadlyforce]

HELP!!! The Galant alternator that I got from PepBoys has a different pulley. Pulled the old one out (the $40 guy is outside right now, and doesn't think it will work...Is there supposed to be any difference in the pulley? Please help, I need the car to get to work tomorrow, and the parts stores are closed now.

 

[meliketoball]

I'm lazy and would pay forty dollars to have it done. I hate the California heat.

 

[ECLIPSEESPILCE]

Sometimes you can swap the pulleys.

 

[luisjo]

where you able to change the pulleys? i want to upgrade my alt. oh and btw, i would have swaped the alt myself and save the 40$

 

[DSM_ThuNDeR]

I would just do it myself, you could use those 40 for a meal or something after your done, plus it serves great practice. It's really not that hard to do!