This looks like a fun job. What else is recommended to be replaced while under vehicle?
Belt, Idler, Tensioner???

 

Have fun! I would do the belt since you'll be able to reach everything.
y 2004 had 300k miles and I never replaced the idler or tensioner before getting rid of it, but it did get 3 or 4 alternators.

 

Four or six cylinder?

 

3 Liter, V 6.

 

Yeah, it's a PITA to replace.

You could do the belt, tensioner or idler while you're in there if you want to since the belt needs to come off anyway.

Have fun. I got a mechanic friend to do mine on the Mariner last year since the darned alternator had the impertinence to fail five days after my hip replacement surgery. However, A 2000 Cougar with the 2.5L (basically the same under the skin as the Escape/Mariner) showed up at my place last month along with my granddaughter and I had to replace the alternator as one of its first repairs. The scratches on my arm are almost healed...

 

Thanks for the confidence boost.
I did take a look down into the engine compartment. No way my son could tackle this. At least with youtube videos I know what I getting into. Parts should arrive Wednesday. I'll post back how it goes.

Heal up with that hip replacement. I had a boss who had both done years ago.

 

The hip healed well. It was 17 months ago in late Feb last year. I was running on it within 10 weeks, ran my first 5K on it at 18 weeks. Ran a half marathon two weeks ago. I think that the running was easier than that stinkin' alternator on the Cougar...

You have to go at the alternator from underneath and through the right fender-well although I did do one out the top on a Contour when I had the intake off. The tie rod end has to be removed from the spindle and, if you have big hands and limited space like I do, the right half shaft may have to come out. My mechanic friend has much smaller hands so he was able to get in there without messing with the half shaft. You'll have to get in there and see how you can manage to see how much you need to move out of the way.

 

I gave myself 4 hours to do this job today. Working outside with intermittent rain. I was working from the point of removing the passenger axle. Took everything off, including the two nuts for the axle shaft. Strut, tie rod removed. Couldn't figure out how to get it out of the tranny. . A video on youtube showed a guy hitting it with a screw driver and hammer. No luck.

Suggestions.

I put it all back together, my son had to go to work. That has never happened to me before. A little frustrating.\
I'll tackle it again this weekend.

 

OK,

Tackled this job again today. Done