As I started her up today, it hesitated so I immediately checked to see if I had left my lights on, no go. As I was driving, I noticed the amps were low plus I heard a whine coming from the engine plus I could feel it through the pedal. Took it to autozone and rule out the battery so I took the chance and made it home thankfully. I can also smell a faint burning smell coming from it which is a pretty good indication also I guess lol

Now I can either take it to a mechanic or replace it myself. It appears to be a pretty straightforward bolt on but I remembered back when we had probs with it years back that you have to allign something correctly otherwise it will not work.

So does everyone think I should replace it myself and if so, do you have any tips? If not, I guess I'll be taking a trip to the mechanic

Thanks for the suggestions

 

replace it yourself .... Pretty straight forward. Do you know how to get the belt off?

 

It's been a while since I replaced an alternator on a 5.0, but it was a pretty easy job with simple tools. The belt tensioner made it pretty simple to remove the belt. Just add a little elbow grease to lift the tensioner to remove/install the belt . . . again from what I remember.

 

No I have never taken the belt off before so suggestions would be helpful.

Thank you

 

this is gonna sound stupid but I'm having a problem finding the tensioner to remove the belt so I can't even start lol

 

here's where the tensioner is located, I also added the locations of other important parts that come stock on 5.0s.....

 

Pretty straight foreward, put a 1/2 inch drive ratchet in the tensioner and lift up to remove the belt. Next just a couple of bolts and you have to put a new connector on for the warrantee which should come with it!! Piece of cake!!!!

 

I ended up talking a friend of a friend who told me where it was. I felt pretty stupid for not knowing something so easy but I had never changed one before. Once I found the location, it took me less then 30 minutes to change it lol

Thanks for all the help

 

Anytime!!!!