I was told by someone on a previous thread I could not pull the Alt. out the top on my 03' Protege.This person was wrong.I moved the cruise out of the way and pulled the charcoal canister out of the way and then unbolted and took wiring off the Alt..Removing the top adjusting bracket would be a plus also, but I did not do that.There is only one bolt holding it on.I did remove afterwards to replace Alt. when I get the new one.The Alt. is alittle tough to get out because it hits the intake and one of the power steering hoses, but I was able to force it out.There is a bolt on a bracket for the power steering line down at the steering rack you can remove, but this only gives a small amount of extra play, but may be just enough to make it easier.I will post aghain when I get it installed.Seems this was a rebuilt already in the car.Not sure how long it was in there.I am having it rebuuilt again locally.One word od caution"remove" the oil dip stick!!I did not and whenI was removing the Alt. I put some pressure with my arm by accident on the plastic top pull ring and it snapped off.So now I have to try and JB Weld it back on.

 

I have an '02 ES and the alternator came out of the top. It was tricky, but it happened and I missed your warning about the oil dip stick. LOL. Yep, I broke mine too. =0)

 

I found if the adjustment bracket on the top is removed from the block it was alot easier to put back in.Should have taken it off before pulling out Alt.JB weld repired my dipstick.Just had someone rearended me Friday night.Now I got to have that repaired.

 

Heinsight right? Sorry to hear you were rear ended. I hope that you are ok and the damage to your vehicle was not too severe. I have a new problem and am back here to ask the experts and just saw your reply from last year.