I have managed to remove my alternator (4bolt version) as it was putting 18v to the battery, its been reconned and is waiting to be put back on the car.

I'm aware that the belt tensioner needs to be turned anti-clickwise to give sufficient slack on the belt so the alternator can be bolted into place.

I've got this far and it's not going to beat me but there must be a solution other than buying another car or a special tool.

Does anyone have any sugestions please? :wonder:

Thanks if you read this far..

well how did you remove the altenator???,i take it you removed the alt belt,so just refit the alt and then the belt,mines a 1.3mpi with the 6rib belt and i've had to fit 2 altenators in its life so far,i just took the belt off removed the altenator fitted the new one and refitted the belt,15mil open ended spanner on the tensioner bolt under the altenator,push down towards the radiator should give you the slack to refit the belt.

Edited 10 January, 201214 yr by ALLYZ66

As above just use a spanner, it's a 16mm I think.

I will get a 15 & 16mm spanner ready, Saturday looks favorite thanks for the advice ALLYZ66 & TeflonTom.

20 years ago cars were easy and by todays standards the Felicia is easy, but its nice to talk to people that know the job.

I will come back to this when I have done the job just to underline it.

After reading all the posts I have come up with the following solution for working around the belt tensioner when removing and refitting an alternator, this applies to the 90amp four bolt versions with the ribbed pulley only.

Disconnect negative on battery

1. Unbolt Earth on alternator & remove positive spade

2. Remove the long bolt from the top of the alternator

3. Push alternator down and remove the second bolt

4. You will have enough slack on the belt to remove the alternator

5. Leave belt in position around the remaining pulleys

To Refit

1. Remove NS wheel (place under car to support it should it fall off the jack) and tray (6 screws)

2. Looking at the NS wheel arch you can see the belt, slip the belt off the cog below the alternator (best done on your back under the car with specs on)

3. Attach Spade and Earth bolt on alternator, replace bottom bolt and slip belt over the pulley of the alternator

4. Pull alternator up and replace last bolt, so the belt is in location (excluding the bottom front cog)

5. Get underneath the car and place a strap around the belt and pull, there will be some give as the tensioner is spring loaded

6. Position your strap between the belt before the front bottom cog and pull down and back so the belt is then in position over all of the pulleys

7. Reconnect battery negative and start car if you have a meter you should be getting around 14v to the battery

8. Replace the wheel before driving off

Hope this helps.

Offside wheel, surely?

Offside wheel, surely?

oops

I tried with 15mm spanner on the tensioner-wheel-bolt.
But when I tried to turn it clockwise to reduce tension, I noticed the bolt comming of.

Either I understand your instructions very poorly, or your bolts have been rusted stuck.