2002 thunderbird alternator removal tips | Ford Thunderbird forum club group 1955-2005 models

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2002 thunderbird alternator removal tips

  • Thread starter Thread starter chelovd123
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chelovd123

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2002
It's impossible. I have been trying to remove an alternator on a 2002 Thurnderbird, and it's not possible.. Removed the main bolts, I believe they are 13mm or 15mm.. It is still attached to something behind or above, some bolt, but there is no space to get there

I see what looks like 2 10mm far above and behind, but those don't seem to be related. Giving up on my Tbird

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chelovd123 said:
It's impossible. I have been trying to remove an alternator on a 2002 Thurnderbird, and it's not possible.. Removed the main bolts, I believe they are 13mm or 15mm.. It is still attached to something behind or above, some bolt, but there is no space to get there

I see what looks like 2 10mm far above and behind, but those don't seem to be related. Giving up on my Tbird
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Never mind guys, I took it out, there isn't much space to wiggle, but it can just get stuck.. I used a long pry bar to loosen it, and it came out.. It's tricky to get it out entirely, it needs quite a few rotations to get it out without removing anything else..
 
chelovd123 said:
Never mind guys, I took it out, there isn't much space to wiggle, but it can just get stuck.. I used a long pry bar to loosen it, and it came out.. It's tricky to get it out entirely, it needs quite a few rotations to get it out without removing anything else..
Click to expand...
You were more successful than me. I even removed the lower control arm with no improvement in ability to get it out. it is still laying there and I am stumped. I am doing this on jack stands, so no room for anything long to use as a pry bar. I bought a digital repair manual long ago online, but it does not properly address 2002s. I informed the seller, but he is still selling it.
 
I have a positive update. In order to remove the alternator on my 02, I disconnected the anti-sway bar links, then used a floor jack to lift up and hold the sway bar up and out of the way. I placed the jack on the driver side of the car so it would not be in my way. Once the sway bar was up and out of the way, I was able to stretch the A/C line out of the way with a pry bar and twist the alternator out. I am replacing the alternator with a new one. Though the alternator was working, it was the original, and absolutely soaked with hydraulic fluid from a leaking hydraulic cooling pump, which is also coming out. When I am done with this, I will never want to do it again.
 
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