new alternator is in. i just removed the 2 bolts for the bottom brace and that gave it plenty of room to come out.

advanced auto parts is full of idiots, theyre tester said it was unable to test my alternator, so i said fuck you im going to autozone now, and they said yeah go ahead they wont be able to test it either, and sure enough they were able too and discovered it was junk.

so out from the back comes a refurbished alternator. i say hey lets test that one before i leave....and its JUNK! The only other one in stock makes its way out and luckily it was good. im so happy i had it tested before leaving.

thanks for the help guys.

the dsm lives another week...