I did an alternator change about two years ago in about 15 mins. We used the tip alternator method.

The alternator was a warrenty replacement as she was over charging at 17volts plus. I called my mechanic from the road told him what was going on, he arrainged to have the replacement on hand when I got there in aboiut an hour. Pulled strait into the bay, hooked up test leads, to confirm overcharge condition at 3000rpm. For warrenty proof. Then shut down, unbolted, tipped out, tipped in bolt down hook up and test. Total time in garage about 15min. Myself and one mechanic to do the change.

 

I know last year when I did my oil cooler at my dads place we just USD some big slip joint pliers and grabbed the tensioner body and pulled it up to release the tension. Worked great and much easier than trying to line up a breaker bar at the time, that was with no batteries in the way so I am sure that helped...

 

Lost my alternator last year on my cross country west trip. I was kneeling on the engine pulling the belt to try to set the kickstand. I couldnt do it with my back from all the driving. I took off my belt and looped it around the serpintine and had my daughter pulling from the passenger side while i set the kickstand. Easy peazey. Now thinking about it if i was at home,next time i will try a rachet strap on the belt attatched to a predetermined anchor point(my basketball goal). Should work.

 

Now that is some creative thinking lol, I like it. The ratchet strap sounds like a good idea too.

 

I've had good luck with the kick stand on mine, but I can't seem to get it with one hand on the belt and the other on the kick stand. Instead I have a long pry bar with the flat angled tip on it, line it up with the kick stand and hold a little pressure with right hand then give the belt a yank right below the alternator pulley with my left hand and the kick stand clicks right in. Takes all of 20 seconds to get lined up and engaged, no time at all to release.

 

^^^^ This is how I do it as well ^^^^^

 

I do it like the ranger and the walrus above, but yeah its hard on the back and you need to set yourself up to tap at the same time you pull the belt rather than hold on like a Gorilla :-)

 

Two handed pull on the belt is easier, once the tensioner is extended, it's easy to hold one handed, then lift the kickstand with the long bar/long screwdriver..

All of 15 seconds. Changed in the Advance Auto parking lot in under 15 minutes. Sounds like we got a bunch of pansy's here..... and I'm 51

 

Or arthritis .......

 

Just wait 8 more years of heavy back work and get back to me on that

Pansy, well I think I've been called worse, like petunia...

I like some of the ideas here, I might try one of my car ratchet straps next time...