It's sitting on the sway bar so I could take a pic, but it will clear like this. once it's loose rotate the top twwoards the front of the car till the pully is down, rotate the ears so that they match the pic, and tug, it'll come right out.
Took mine out tonight because it appears to be overcharging the battery (16V at the battery terminals) and my battery indicator light had been flickering on/off. There has been a variance in people's experience it seems in taking these off the car. Mine was a real son of a gun. Could not take it out thru the bottom per the OP. I did what others have done and removed the upper Alt bracket (4 bolts), removed the power steering fluid container (undid the screws holding it in) and then wiggled the Alt like crazy to get it out thru the top.
From all indications, there was NO WAY that thing was coming out thru the bottom, no matter what orientation I tried. Sooooooooooooo, those who venture into the Alt removal waters.......beware.
Tomorrow I'm taking it to a local re-builder to get it tested and see what failed on it (betting it's the voltage regulator). I'll either get it repaired, or order a Start N Charge or Ebay unit.
One things for sure; I don't want to be doing this procedure too often. I'm already dreading the thought of having to re-install it. I'll post again when I get the Alt tested and re-installed.
i jack up just behind front wheel...i pull battery and battery tray...this opens the top..and room to get belt off
i leave wire harness connected to bracket(tiny 8mm bolt)...holds bracket in place
i take main wire and connector off..i remove 3 bolts ,,15mm on alt..13mm on bracket ...the alt comes down than move toward wheel..
takes mins
unless sway bar has been altered
...
And just because a coulple of people asked, Here's the orentation of the alt. that will let it come out:
It's sitting on the sway bar so I could take a pic, but it will clear like this. once it's loose rotate the top twwoards the front of the car till the pully is down, rotate the ears so that they match the pic, and tug, it'll come right out.