I helped change mine the other day. I have a Rover 214sli - M reg' The alternator is held on usually by 3 bolts (one of which is to be used to adjust the tightness of the belt) The main problem I found was getting your hands down to the bolts so you may need to check you have a decent set of tools before trying. The alternator will set you back about £60 but you will get £20 back when you take the old one back to the shop. In the past I used a secondhand one but it only lasted a year.
It is very simple to change. Just a case of undoing the 3 bolts and sliding the belt off. Usually the new alternator does not come with the belt wheel in which case you will need to take it off the old one. This can be very hard and once again you may require some better tools. Once you have got it off attach it to the new alternator making sure its tight.
Getting the new one back in is slightly fiddly. We found securing the two bolts which DO NOT adjust the belt first was the easiest way. You will know which ones these are as the adjustment bolt has to attach to an arm. Once you have got those two on you have to set get the adjustment bolt secured - there is no real easy way of doing this apart from being persistent. Make sure you tightent the belt enough but not too much that it will snap!! (Take note of how tight it was before starting the work on the old one)
When you have finally tightened that final bolt you are done.
Admitedly this can be fiddly and sometimes time consuming without the right tools. If you know a cheap garage they will only charge you about £15 to do it as it will take them less than an hour. Most other garages will charge you in the region of £30-50 depending if they are commercial or not.
Hope this helps - good luck
Paul Trigwell, February 2006
