I have done this twice now, as the first alternator I received turned out to be defective. It is very easy.

Here is a quick and dirty run down.

Step 1) Remove the fan clutch/radiator shroud. The fan clutch takes a long 32mm wrench, they are available on ebay or perhaps a local enthusiast has one you can borrow. They have to come out together as there is no room to wiggle past the other.

Step 3) Undo the serp belt.

step 4) Unbolt the power steering reservoir bolts. There are two right on top of the bracket in between the power steering res and the oil filter housing. The power steering res is now free to be moved out of the way as needed.

Step 5) Remove the airbox and intake tube. You can just disconnect the intake to where it joins the intake boot, no need to take the boot off the throttle body, although now is a good time to replace the boot if yours is old.

step 6) unclip the wiring harness that is located on the top of the back side of the alternator.

Step 7) Unbolt the lead connected to the back side of the alternator. Mine was a 17mm nut.

Step 8) Unbolt the upper and lower two bolts holding the alternator to the bracket. There are no nuts on the backside of these bolts, they thread directly into the bracket.

Step 9) alternator is now free. Wiggle it up through the to where the power steering res and intake used to be. Be mindful of the coolant hoses and coolant reservoir.

Installation is the same as removal. Make sure you get the air duct on the bottom of the alt hooked back up.

Once you get in there it is really quiet self explanatory. Good luck.

__________________
03 3.0i mt
89 325is