About to replace my alternator, any special tools needed?

[BFlan2001]

I found the write-up below for replacing the alternator and it mentions 2 special tools needed for the job. Do I really need those tools? I'm hoping to do this tomorrow but I have pretty limited tools to work with here (my S4 left me stranded at a relative's house today after my alternator crapped out on me). Also if you have any tips or tricks to make things easier please share! Nothing goes right when I work on this car so I'm sure I'll hit a snag or two tomorrow and post up...

http://www.vaglinks.com/Docs/Audi/B5..._Generator.pdf

[Vegas34]

Are you 100% sure that it's the alternator? I haven't heard a ton of them going out. I thought about replacing mine when I did the full tb job, but after some research didn't...I'm sure the entire front end needs to come off, radiator included...

[morris400]

The only thing I had to go grab was the T45 torks bits for the bumper. From what I remember it was pretty stright forward. I used the bumper removal diy in the tech fourms and went from there. I took the hole front end off so I had to replace all my coolant but for the first time working on my car it only took me about 3 hours total working on the car. I used my old alt and just got it rebuilt, Saved me money.

[BFlan2001]

yea it's definitely the alt...the car usually sits for 2-3 months at a time, sometimes more so i think i just fried the alt from charging up dead batteries too many times. it went out today at about 100mph and my gauges went crazy..pulled over, swapped in a new battery because that was the problem the last time this happened, now everything works ok but the battery light is still on and my voltmeter only reads 12v.

morris thanks for the tip on the torx bit!

[redleg6]

Replaced my alternator without a lift. It was about 3.5 hours of work and alot of learning. I really needed to replace, so I was determined to do it myself. May be best to have a very mechanically inclined friend there to assist. This was over a year ago, so I'm only hitting on a few things.

I removed the bumper, condenser, and rad. I placed old cardboard down and had a shallow drip pan as well. I usually keep a small box handy for all the clips and clamps, trying to remember where they went. Don't forget to get a good brand of replacement belt and to check the pulleys when the front is off. Other than that, the pdf up above is pretty straighforward. I didn't need any special tools, but I also have plenty of my own. Good luck and post back if you have any trouble.

[morris400]

same here also did my without a lift. Like redleg said there are a lot of small screws and bolts so I used a small magnetic tray to hold all the small screws. You will learn a lot when doing this but you will find out that if you just go step by step its really not that bad of a job. Good luck.

[Marioh]

I was able to do mine without a lift... and I also didn't full remove the condensor/rad - you can have enough space just by pulling it forward a bit.

My first time took like 8 hours because I had to keep running to get tools and crap. If I had to do it again, I could do it in 2-3.

[pearlwhite]

You dont need to remove the bumper at all.

Just jack up the car, remove to lower coolant hose that is in the way and you have room to get it out. I would never waste time removing the bumper for an alternator.

[BFlan2001]

one more question, i'm getting two different answers from local parts stores...one place said i can use the bosch OR valeo alternator and it doesn't matter which one i choose, but another store is telling me that they aren't interchangeable and i need to know which one my car came with. any idea if it matters? the only difference i can tell by looking at pictures/specs is that the 'clock position' is 7:30 on one and 8:00 on the other

[BFlan2001]

You dont need to remove the bumper at all.

Just jack up the car, remove to lower coolant hose that is in the way and you have room to get it out. I would never waste time removing the bumper for an alternator.

i will definitely try this route first, thanks for the heads up!

[mholme]

Only the pulley is different from Bosch to Valeo. If you have a way to swap those, it doesn't matter which you buy. And the only reason you may need to go into some variation of service position is because of the long top mounting bolt on the alternator. There isn't enough room to get it out past the components at the front of the car. Other than it's straight forward. Remove the power supply, the lower intercooler hose two mounting bolts and be ready to catch it after a few whacks.

[TipTucker01]

I have to say in my experience, changing the ALT is one of the easier jobs on this car. The service manual dictates you do not have to put the radiator(lock carrier) into service position, but it would 10xxx easier.
When I swapped out my alternator I was doing a TB job at the same time so I had some more room to work with.

[b5hobsons4]

I did mine in my driveway. First time I've taken the bumper and rad off. It was not too bad. I worked on it between school and work. I don't remember how long it actually took me, but it wasn't long. Hardest part was getting the bumper itself off. After that it's pretty easy. Be careful with the radiator hose "c clips", they may be old and brittle and break. $5 at my local dealer. It is pretty tight with the bumper on, but i believe it could be done. I just wanted to take the front off to get to know the car better.

[morris400]

one more question, i'm getting two different answers from local parts stores...one place said i can use the bosch OR valeo alternator and it doesn't matter which one i choose, but another store is telling me that they aren't interchangeable and i need to know which one my car came with. any idea if it matters? the only difference i can tell by looking at pictures/specs is that the 'clock position' is 7:30 on one and 8:00 on the other

I had by alt re built. It was cheaper and I did not have to worrie about changing pulleys

[Marioh]

I bought both versions and returned the one that wasn't it.