Was wondering how to remove an alternator from above the engine in my wife's 99. I have 2 questions; first, the lower bolt does not have enough room to be fully removed. I watched a youtube video for a 98 that required an access panel to be removed from finder well, yet this model doesn't have the panel though it seemingly needs around 1 extra inch beyond the finder. How can this be done without drilling a hole in the finder well? Second, the video also explained removing the alternator from under the car (through the non existing access panel). The alternator seems to be pretty much in a normal place under the hood where the vid for the 98 has the alternator lower - around where the tensioner pulley is on my model.

Other than the bolt issue my repair seems pretty routine. It seems that I will have to remove part of the air intake before the fuel injection, but other than that remove the bolts/cables and remove from under the hood as with any other vehicle I've worked on. Is this correct, or will it in fact have to be taken out the bottom through finder somehow? And assuming this is correct (don't really see any other way) how do I get that lower bolt past the fender?

TIA

 

I'm late to the party here, but here's the info for future reference:
1. The lower bolt is accessed through the Driver side wheel well via use of a bunch of socket extensions. Almost 3 feet worth.
2. The book procedure indicates pulling the unit down through the bottom by removal of part of the exhaust system. Too big a PITA in my opinion. I just undo the passenger side tie rod and maneuver the alt through the passenger side wheel well.
3. You may need a small pry bar or screwdriver to encourage the mounting tabs to release the alternator at some point. Pivoting the unit helps a lot. In fact, reinstallation is easiest by putting the top bolt in place and pivoting the lower tab into place by use of the 10mm bolt on the small lower bracket, THEN installing the lower bolt.

I was unlucky enough to go through five (5) improperly wired aftermarket alternators from my local auto part store. By the time I was done I could do this 3 hour job in 45 minutes - including getting out my tools , removing wheels, and cleaning up the area after. Key takeaway - don't cheap out on this alternator. FoMoCo part because it's built for the higher RPM of this V-6 engine.