1996 Mercury Sable Replacing Alternator in Duratec 3.0 liter

Easiest thing would be to spend $18 on a chiltons guide for your car. You can pick it up at most auto parts stores. Will tell you exaclty how to remove it.

Did that already not very helpful for removing the alternator but was insightful for several things we had to remove.

Replaced it today, and there are three options:

1. Pull the Motor (NO WAY!)

2. Remove water pump, discharge air conditioning system, remove hoses and mounted Reservoirs, take off guards and guides, and force it through the opening you have. (This would take longer than a bottom removal, and requires new gasket for water pump and recharge of air conditioning).

3. From the bottom (the choice we went with); Disassemble the spindle from lower control arm, tie rod, and remove drive shaft. From the top unattach the power steering Reservoir and wire guides from the inner fender and twist to the right out of the way. Remove the serpentine belt, and undo the upper two mounting bolts on the alternator(the upper and lower bolts are 13mm center is 18mm). Before removing the lower bolt remove the wires. Two are on a plug, and one is bolted on(I think it was a 10mm nut). Pull alternator down through and then reverse the process.

We did this with the car up on two jack stands on the right side (passenger side) of the car. It took about an hour and 15 minutes(with two People gabbing incessantlyand using air tools working on it). If you are not familiar with how to disassemble the spindle from lower control arm, tie rod end and drive shaft refer to either Chilton or Haynes manual for 1996 - 1999 Mercury Sable / Ford Taurus as you will need to use a long pry bar, a heavy hammer and possibly a pickle fork.

Best of luck! :Lol:

I just replaced mine and I did not take anything apart or off! The alternator will come out the hole at the bottom, yes it takes a little patience and finesse but it will come out.

I agree with Ldeejenn. I just proved to my husband that I could replace the alternator in our 2000 Mercury Sable LS 3.0L 24V without removing anything else except the tire.