You probably already know this, but I didn't see it mentioned...
Ensure you disconnect the ground cable (or any other suitable battery disconnect) before you disconnect any wires from the alternator.
And, I have a question for anyone who looked at the photo in the thread with the OK and NOT OK to use a longer extension on the tensioner.
I just can't imagine that the tensioner bearing is so weak it can't handle the twisting load for a couple of seconds at most.
The photo seems to show a 1/2 ratchet, with a fairly short handle. Now, if it showed a 1/2 break-over bar and 24" handle I might tend to agree that is probably not a smart idea.
A tensioner tends to move in an arc, and a solid fitting extension isn't going to create much twisting if the operator of the handle places the pressure to create torque on the correct vector according to the angle of the handle in relation to the arc angle at that moment in time.
In short, I believe that if I really felt I needed to use an extension to get to the beast, I would do exactly that.
Both photos showed an image with extensions. As a general rule I don't an extension unless I have to; so I'm curious as to why this wasn't the default "good" picture, the short extension the "OK" picture, and the long extension the "bad" picture.
Sorry if this hijacks the thread.
