Anyone change the Alt on a 99 Grand Am??

[MJMA]

My brother who's stationed in Minot ND says that his alternator is toast. Actually, he hasn't driven it for over a month because of it...and since it WAS nice out, he didn't mind walking the mile to work every day. Now it's starting to get nipply up in ND, and he wants to change it. He is a welder and a machinist, so he can work with his hands, but he doesn't have too too much experience with working on motors...he was never interested, so I always do it for him!

Anyways, I was just wondering if anyone could tell me if this is a do-able job and what to look out for. I know that if it's one of those GM motors that is mounted parallel to the axles, it's probably gonna be a whore. I found a picture of what seems to be a 99 grand am's motor...which to me looks like it's mounted perpindicular to the axles, with the alternator right on top. Can anyone confirm or deny? Advice? I'm gonna try to get teh snap-on diagnostics write up of it printed out for him if I can, but if anyone can tell me that it's easy or a pita, that woudl be great. Thanx

[MBood82]

if it's like a 96 grand am, it's pretty easy. I did one on my buddies a couple years ago. pretty much look at it, figure out what bolts hold it on, remove them (after loosening the belt, it's one of those auto tensioner ones with the spring and pulley that you stick a 3/8 or 1/2" drive rachet into) then remove the alternator. it's a couple hour job at most.

we only screwed up by not having the battery at least somewhat charged before he started using it... it apparently is bad for the alternator to do that.

[diesel298]

was ez on my 96 gran prix

[MJMA]

his is a 99 grand am, but these two posts are atleast somewhat promising!

[safarimike]

i did one on a grand am, not sure year but def a 99-05, with the 3.4 v6. it was really easy. just remember to disconnect the battery before you start.

[MJMA]

sweet, thanx! that's what I wanted to hear!!