So, my alternator finally crapped a bearing. I pulled the battery and tray, used a 4 ft chater pipe to break the top bolt loose, and now on to the bottom bolt. Is there any way to remove it from the top of the engine? Or do I have to drop my factory skid plate and pull it from the underside. Any help would be greatly appreciated. 97 cherokee chop-top with the I6

 

It is easier to get to from the bottom. if i remember right there are only 6 bolts on the skid. Its been a while since i had one on. Depending on if you have ac or not it can be a pita to get out. Mine comes out from the top i have to very carefully move the ac line and play tetris with until it comes out. Mine wont come out the bottom. Hope that helps some.

 

Ya, I have A/C, and the line running out of the coils is corroded almost to the point of leaking, so I really dont want to flex it to much. I will drop the skid plate when I get back on base tonight and try the bottome bolt fro there. Thanks bo

 

I second what Muddrunner AZ said. I just did my alternator on my 1993 XJ the other day, and I removed it from up top. I wasn't sure since it felt really tight, like it wasn't going to budge, but I managed to slide the a/c line about an inch. Thankfully the hose compressed enough for me to "forcefully" yank it out. My line was looking pretty bad, but I was desperate enough try anyway... Good luck.

 

ive done it both ways. i have a/c. the "tetris" game is harder going out bottom. but i took the bolts loose from underneath both times. never seen a factory skid plate.

why would they make suck a great off-roaders engine and put the alternator on the bottom where the water will ruin it?!?!?!

 

I ended up using extensions, a wobble joint, and a 4ft cheater pipe and got the bottom bolts out. I wiggled it out of the top, and I am pretty sure it is the original. I agree, the bottom mount idea, along with the 5 bolt electrical connection is crappy

 

For those of you pulling the alternator out thru the top -- did all of you have to remove the battery and tray? The alternator on our '95 country just seized up and I don't see how to pull it out without pulling the battery and tray. Just a little concerned about those tray hold-down bolts, after 16 years they're rusted down pretty well and I don't want to snap all three off.

 

o