How do I change the pulley on my alternator

[72bronco]

I want to change the pulley on my alternator. It seems simple enough, the pulley is held on with a single nut. But I need to hold the alternator and pulley in place so it doesn't spin around while I crank the bolt off with a wrench. My question is what is the best way to hold the pulley so it doesn't spin? Do I just clamp it in a vise to hold it in place? My concern would be damaging the pulley from the clamping force of the vice. The nut is on there pretty good and it seems like its gonna take a lot of force to get it off. This seems like a dumb question but I thought I'd ask before I did something stupid and regret later not asking the question.

 

[SeaBiscuit68]

You can rap a belt around the pulley and put that in the vise.

 

[g-money]

PUt on a pair of gloves hold it with your hand and hit it with an impact wrench. It will come right off.

 

[jason]

i used an impact wrench. and also rented a pulley puller from autozone.
just my .02

 

[ElJefe]

Impact wrench works the best. Otherwise, every alternator I have ever seen has the end of the shaft machined to accept an allen wrench... 5/16 if I remember correctly. You can use the allen wrench to hold the shaft and a box wrench to get at the nut.

 

[wildbill]

I use a air motor but if you dont have one it is a allen in the center. Put a allen wrench in the vise and plug it on and use a open end wrench and will be good to go good luck. %) %) %) Bill %)

 

[t2jeff]

use a pulley puller.........just don't damage the shaft

 

[RRRAAAYYY2]

Air impact off, air impact on, but make sure you don't over tighten it putting it back on. 75ftlbs is all it takes, not a 1/2 air gun on high. We always loctite (blue NOT red) the nut when putting it back on as well.
The allen key in the end is kind of a last resort, as it is hard to work around and half the time the slot is all rusty. I would ytake the alternator to your local garage and have them do it, it should be a freebie.

 

[72BlueBronco]

This is what I ended up buying. If twenty bucks is more than you wanted to spend then just go to your local auto parts store and they can rent you one.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=40749

 

[ken75ranger]

This is what I ended up buying. If twenty bucks is more than you wanted to spend then just go to your local auto parts store and they can rent you one.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=40749

What kind of alternator uses a press on pully?

 

[RRRAAAYYY2]

What kind of alternator uses a press on pully?

Old style Chrysler is pretty much it. Though others you would think got pressed on after they have been in service for a few years.