2002 XC - Alternator

[dyoung]

Thanks for making this board available. My wife's alternator went out yesterday while on the road. The 2002 cross country was towed to a local repair shop. The repair shop estimates $700 replacement bill ($450 alternator and $250 take out / install alternator. I have not looked under the hood in a long time and can visualize the location of the alternator and do not have the owner's manual handy.

I've replaced alternators through the years on older model cars / trucks (non volvos). I am in no way a mechanic but is the alternator really that tough / tight to pull off and replace? The town where the car broke down does have an alternator / starter rebuild shop that has priced to rebuild at $100

Can someone give their opinion to the pull and replace cost, can the alternator be replace by someone with limited mechancial skills, what is your opinion to the cost of the replacement part, any major reason why you would not consider rebuilding the alternator?

Thank you for your time.

[saltydog]

buy the reman for sure - & I'd go somewhere else at $75.00 an hour, he wants 2.5 hrs? Sounds a little steep....it's tight, but it's not that tough to get at but let someone else worry about re-threading that serpintine belt.