I've searched all over and can't find a write up for it. What are some things I should keep in mind when doing this job?

It seems like it's difficult to get out and back in am I right.
I don't want to screw this up.

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1998 Ford Escort ZX2 5 speed - 279,000 miles My Daily

1992 Mercedes 300D 2.5 202,000 - Pure junk
2000 Mercedes E320 Black - 136,000 miles - Needs repair

Don't forget to grease the screw and threads on the spring compressor.

??? Disconnecting the battery might be the most difficult part. Seriously, the belt has to come off which is never fun in a 603. From there it’s a couple of bolts and some wires for the alternator to come off. If it doesn’t drop to the ground, snake it up in front of the water pump. Are you sure it doesn’t just need a new regulator?

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon

It's a 30 second job without a viscous fan in the way.

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CENSORED due to not family friendly words

I hope so.

It's that simple? Hopefully it doesn't take me 6 hours.

It charges fine but I'll double check, the problem is the bearing has play, it feels rough and gritty and most of all the bearing noise is LOUD! The alternator is roaring and my water pump is moaning, will replace both at the same time.

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1998 Ford Escort ZX2 5 speed - 279,000 miles My Daily

1992 Mercedes 300D 2.5 202,000 - Pure junk
2000 Mercedes E320 Black - 136,000 miles - Needs repair

Don't forget to grease the screw and threads on the spring compressor.

The water pump is a way bigger PITA than the alternator. If you're doing both at the same time, drop the alternator first, it'll give you some more clearance around the water pump.

Be prepared for a fight getting that stupid fan clutch off. You need some sort of tool to hold the pulley in place. Clean out the bolt head and take your time and use good quality tools. If the head rounds out, you're pretty f'd, see my thread earlier this year to see what I went through, and I had the shop and tools to deal with it.

The alternator is the least of your problems. Unplug the wires from the back, remove 2 bolts, drop out bottom.

__________________
Current stable:
1995 E320 149K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 120K (SLoL)

Black Sheep:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™)

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
1991 560SEL
1990 560SEL
1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)

Will take everything into consideration guys!

Btw I found out a trick from Eric.O of South Main Auto, he uses valve lapping compound on Hex bolts and screws, I tried it myself and I am amazed.

The grit, grips and reduces the chances of slippage and rounding out. I'll throw some on the fan clutch bolt after it's cleaned out.

__________________
1998 Ford Escort ZX2 5 speed - 279,000 miles My Daily

1992 Mercedes 300D 2.5 202,000 - Pure junk
2000 Mercedes E320 Black - 136,000 miles - Needs repair

Don't forget to grease the screw and threads on the spring compressor.

Hmmmmm, my 240D developed what I’d only call a roar last year before winter and I didn’t know what it was. Thought maybe carrier bearing but drivetrain sounds ok, then thought maybe just noise infiltration because I took off wrinkly vinyl door things and faded fabric door strips but I don’t that’s it either - what does your alternator roar sound like? Does it get louder with speed? How do you know it’s the alternator and specifically what bearing?

Errr, should also mention I found a gaping exhaust hole before the muffler that coulda been the culprit but I haven’t driven it since changing muffler.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Couldn't install alternator because the wiring to the alternator was too short...

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1998 Ford Escort ZX2 5 speed - 279,000 miles My Daily

1992 Mercedes 300D 2.5 202,000 - Pure junk
2000 Mercedes E320 Black - 136,000 miles - Needs repair

Don't forget to grease the screw and threads on the spring compressor.

How's that? I assume you are aware that the alternator can be "clocked" to any of four positions by undoing the screws and rotating the case. That may allow you to move the connections to a more convenient position.

I forgot about that...


Also I couldn't get the last bottom right bolt removed from the water pump, what kind of wrench do I need? Ratcheting?

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1998 Ford Escort ZX2 5 speed - 279,000 miles My Daily

1992 Mercedes 300D 2.5 202,000 - Pure junk
2000 Mercedes E320 Black - 136,000 miles - Needs repair

Don't forget to grease the screw and threads on the spring compressor.

Can you elaborate on the water pump bolt? The tightening torque is very low, something like 10-15nm, so they should come right out if the gasket hasn't been leaking.

If access is the problem, a box-end wrench is often your friend. I know access is tight around the crankshaft on a couple of those bolts. I had issues with the bottom-most one and went it with a box-end from the passenger side. Sucked, but it came out.

__________________
Current stable:
1995 E320 149K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 120K (SLoL)

Black Sheep:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™)

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
1991 560SEL
1990 560SEL
1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)

It wasn't tight but I could only turn in an 1/8 of a turn at a time and I was lucky if I could hook back on.

I constantly had to feel for it.

__________________
1998 Ford Escort ZX2 5 speed - 279,000 miles My Daily

1992 Mercedes 300D 2.5 202,000 - Pure junk
2000 Mercedes E320 Black - 136,000 miles - Needs repair

Don't forget to grease the screw and threads on the spring compressor.