Re: BIT OFF MORE THAN I CAN CHEW

Ok, I finally graduated to what I thought would be my bestest toy, a 2002 Boxster S with 65,000 miles. I dropped it off at my local foreign mechanic just for an inspection of what he thought it may need. The list really wasn't that long, but 1300 for an alternator? 1400 to replace engine and tranny mounts??
A brief history, I'm a gearhead from way back, even though this is my first experience with a Porsche. Bottom line, if I ever pay someone 1300 to replace an alternator I'll have one of my buds shoot me afterwards. Well, that was before I tore apart half the car to even see the alternator. After about 4 hours of wiggling and struggling I got it out, sent it off to be rebuilt and now struggling to get it back in; no problem, I'll let it sit and work on something else. I bought this book, 101 projects you can do to your Porsche and the front engine mounts seemed like a walk in the park....so did the alternator. The book has a lot of nice pictures but leaves a helluva lot of details out. Anyhoo, front engine mount done, back very sore. Next stop is transmission mounts, started on driver's side, had to remove way more than the book suggested, but it's done.
Now I am on the passenger side and the one bracket bolt that goes into the tranny is way up top, can barely touch it let alone get a breaker bar on it. After hours of having that puzzled look I thought ok, let's go in from the trunk. So, here I go, ripping out very neatly fabricated carpeting, only to realize there is no access from the trunk.The word Sawzall comes to mind. At this point I was tempted to go back to the alternator but decided to pop open a beer and seek advice. I was wondering if the mount can come out without the bracket. My thoughts is there is probably just not quite enough room for the main holding bolt to come out of its holder, the star shaped one. What I will say is absolutely hats off to the ones who decided to work on these on a daily basis. Any ideas to get my toy back on the road would be greatly appreciated.

1300 for an alternator is ludicrous. time to find another mechanic.

are you aware of the fact that there's a very large opening to the engine compartment directly behind the seats? that's how you get to the alternator IIRC.

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MY 2000 S, Ocean Blue, Metropol Blue, Savanah Beige.
Bought June 2000 - Sold May 2010

That is also the access point to change the serpentine belt. I would presume that he went in from that point as you have to remove the SERP belt to remove the alternator. Yeah, I have changed the alternator on a 2002 986 S, and it was tricky getting it out and back in.

Last night I kept fiddling with it and finally got it, what an accomplishment in my mind. The belt looks great but while I'm there might as well get a new one. I still gave the issue of the passenger side transmission mount bracket, can barely touch the bolt but it obviously has to come out in order to remove bracket allowing removal of mount.

Hi, Had my brackets off...wasn't that bad of a job. Follow the 101 project job for trans removal. Maybe omit removing the muffler. I think the cross braces and trans cover would have to come off.Good luck.