2008 S80 V8 Charging system failure

[warcraftjunkie]

Well, I got it out eventually. Despite everything I have read online (all were for the XC90), I had to disconnect the ball joint from the control arm and loosen the strut in the tower in order to get enough play to remove the axle from the hub. Once that was done.... OMG, the wrestling to get the alternator out commenced. On the S80 V8, you also have to remove part of the heat shield behind the motor to get enough space to put your hands down behind the motor to disconnect the alternator wiring as well as easy access to the top bolt on the alternator. Today will begin the process of putting it all back together with the same alternator with a new voltage regulator.

Here's to hoping I finish with exactly no bolts or nuts left extra!

[warcraftjunkie]

Finished! Getting that serpentine belt back on was a pain in the butt, but done. No more charging system failures, although I'll need to replace the Outer Tie Rod link as I damaged the boot on the ball joint.... Oh well. At least that's a piece of cake compared to this.

[warcraftjunkie]

Thought I'd close this thread up and say that I did complete the job back in July. I wound up having to loosen up the strut mounts to give the strut enough play so that I could dislodge the drive shaft from the hub assembly. Once that was out it was easy enough getting the alternator out. I was able to use the Voltage regulator I found on EBay. Putting the alternator back in took much swearing and contorting to get it back into that tight space while not damaging the various heat shields. Getting the accessory belt back on was also a chore as I remember it. I think if this fails ever again, I'm going to pay someone else to do it! Of course I say that, but I know the cheap side of my personality will most likely overrule the rest of the voices in my head.