I have a 2001 A4 Avant with the 2.8 V6. I have strong reason to believe that the alternator is failing and would like to replace it myself. With two little kids running around I don't really have much time for exploratory learning so I'd like to know if it is possible/practical to change the alternator out from beneath the car, rather than removing the front facia which I'd rather not do (this is our only family hauler and I don't plan on freaking my wife out today).

I would also like to know what tools are needed (torx bits, hex bits, etc.) apart from the standard metric socket set.

Thanks.

-John

 

no you can't. you need to take up and out. you don't need to remove the whole front end either, jsut the bumper and the bolts for the front end but the whole front end doesn't have to physically be removed. once you have the bumper, headlights and outside air temp sensor off start removing the bolts that hold the front end on. after you do that, you can move the front end forward enough so that the alternator will come out. don't take off the coolant hoses as that's what will limit how far you need to pull the front end. you'll need 8mm allen and t45 (i believe) torx bit. there's a rly long bolt for the alternator that will be a bitch but a lot of wiggling and move the a/c fan will do it. good luck, it took me 3 hours.

 

Damn, that's just terrible. On my Volvo 460 (only import to US) it was a 3 minute job....
Hope mine don't break just yet then...