2002 E430 alternator removal help
 

I'm trying to take the alternator out of my 2002 E430 and I have all of the bolts out and the electrical connections off on the back, but I can not seem to maneuver the thing out of the car.

I've tried every which direction and it seems to be stuck on the cooling fan on the front of the engine. Does this have to be removed?

Thanks!

Alldata says non-chalantly "remove radiator". The process for the radiator includes removing the fan. I've always thought access would be easier from the bottom - can you get it out from there?

Definitely not coming out the bottom. This is a 4matic vehicle and the transfer case is in the way.

The only other possibility I see on mine is where the airbox is, once you pull that out. It might be possible to jack up the engine an inch or so to give clearance between the cylinder head and the frame piece and angle the alternator up to the airbox corner.

According to WIS it does come out the bottem. I looked up the 210 4matic

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k1...ernator001.jpg

interesting - I definitely can't get it out the bottom behind the engine (i.e. towards the cabin) and going forward it seems to run into the fan and one of the hose clips.

I did manage to get the voltage regulator off with the alternator still hanging out in the engine compartment. I'm going to replace that and give it a shot.