How do you change an alternator belt on a 98 Ford Escort ZX2?

Tools:

10mm box end wrench ratchet handle 10mm socket 10mm deep socket (much easier for one bolt) 1/2" socket 13mm box end wrench tire ramps or a floor jack with stands

1. Jack up car and disconnect the negative (black) battery cable. use 10mm wrench to loosen terminal clamp.

2. Remove the 5 or six dust shroud bolts on the passenger side, 10mm socket, set dust shroud aside.

3. Remove the 2 hanging bolts on the coolant resivoir (the deep socket and a extension bar are helpful here) set the resivoir (with tubing still attached) aside.

4. Now you can easily get to the accessory belt. Follow the procedure on this (http://www.rldassociates.com/zx2/howto/belt.htm) page to get the v-ribbed belt off.

5. Remove the two molex plugs, use a flat head screwdrive to lift the catches on these plugs. Just below these two, locate the positive lead from the alt. it has a soft red cap. Use the 10mm socket to take it off.

6. There are 3 gold tone mounting bolts for the alternator, 1 up top, 2 underneath, use the 1/2" to take off the bottom two and then support the alt. while you take out the top one.

7. Its free! It might take a little rotation to get it out past the lines.

8. Hang onto the junk alternator, it fetches a core charge for up to 75$ Autozone will sell you another one for 109 plus tax (with the old one)

9. Retrace your steps with the new one and your off.

GOOD LUCK!

(if the link should be broken, the tensioner pulley is just above a/c compressor, pull on it with a 13mm wrench towards the back of the car to loosen the belt)

First answer by Chriswilliamdavis. Last edit by Fordguy51. Contributor trust: 0 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 83 [recommend question]