Alternator removal/replacement for V6 Fieros...stick shift is fairly easy...automatic makes it harder because you can't fish out the alternator as easily...try this for a description:

Removal:

1. Disconnect negative battery lead.

2. Loosen lug nuts on right rear wheel.

3. Jack up rear end of car, both sides, nice and high, remove RR wheel.

4. Loosen the bottom alternator bolt, take tension off the belt, slip belt off alternator pulley. Disconnect the wires from the alternator. (Two-wire harness is a snap-on connector...squeeze to release. The heavy wire is held on by a nut...slip back the rubber boot and take the nut off.

5. Loosen top alternator bolt, but do not pull it out yet!!!

6. (Need a helper at this point) While you hold the alternator from the bottom, have your helper pull the top bolt. Catch the falling alternator and snake it out and onto your head. (ouch!)

Installation:

1. (Need a helper at this point) Snake the alternator back into position under the top bracket. Now, while balancing this bowling ball at arm's length above your head, have your helper slip a phillips screwdriver into the top bracket, through the hole in the mounting tab on the alternator, and into the threaded part of the bracket. Put the bottom bolt in, but just finger tight, to hold things for a minute.

2. Pull the phillips screwdriver out and install the top alternator bolt. (Do not fully tighten yet...alternator needs to pivot)

3. Remove the bottom bolt again, connect the wires, and hook up the belt over the pulley.

4. Tension the belt. (Get a belt tension gauge and use it!!!) The easiest way I have found to do this is to take a small crowbar and insert it into the slot in the bottom bracket so you can pry against the tab on the alternator that takes the bottom bolt. Set tension according to the belt gauge, and tighten the bottom bolt.

5. Tighten top alternator bolt.

6. Reconnect negative battery lead.

7. Test-start the car, listen for belt/bearing squeals. If it's quiet, you're in good shape. If not, go back and retension the belt.

8. Replace the RR wheel, put the car back on its feet, you're done!

9. Have a beer or other beverage of your choice...you earned it!!