Anybody know a model number and place I can get a alternator pulley remover/installer to work on my GTA? I want to make sure I get the right one since I see quite a few different ones out there, so figured I'd ask here.

 

The alternator pulley should be a slip-fit. The stock ones are. Need a 3/8" (5/16" ?) allen wrench to hold the shaft while using a wrench to loosen the nut.

RBob.

 

That's easier said than done though. The last time I did this and did it like that, I managed to get the pulley off but couldn't adequately tighten the nut back down because I couldn't get the wrench on the nut anymore once it was so tight, and ended up losing my new OD pulley and an alternator because of it while 3 hours from home.

 

Probably not the accepted way but I use an impact gun to zip it off and on. Don't go crazy it just a few zaps while holding your hand around the socket (not the pulley) to keep it from spinning. Been doing it for years and never had a alternator fail.

 

Yes, the nut does need to be tight. A 6-point box wrench will do it. Even a 12-point box wrench will work.

RBob.

 

I just use an impact gun. Tightening it down, just zip it down with the gun and let it do a couple of final hits. Torque on the nut is only 80 pounds so you don't need to go overkill tightening it. I doubt I put them that tight and have never had an issue.

The pulley itself is only a slip fit. Once the nut is off, the pulley should just slide off however I have had some that are seized on the shaft. There's no easy way to get one of those off without destroying the threads on the end of the shaft. I've never had any luck with pullers. As long as you're not trying to save the alternator that you're trying to get the pulley off, the easiest way to get the pulley ff is a big hammer on the shaft while holding the pulley.

Most pulleys however should just slide off. Make sure you take the spacer from behind the pulley/fan if there is one.

 

Impact wrench for me as well. Done dozens of them this way and no problems.