I am pretty sure that the alternator is going up in one of my friends 99 civic ex. I just have a few questions about replacing it. How do I untighten and tighten the belt? How do I know if it is tight enough. Should I replace the belt?

Thanks,
Mike

Honda Civic Alternator Replacement

1. Disconnect negative battery cable.
2. Disconnect 4-P connector from alternator.
3. Remove terminal nut and WHT wire from B terminal.
4. Remove upper mount bracket nut and engine wire harness.
5. Remove adjusting bolt and through-bolt nut; then, remove alternator belt from pulley.
6. Remove alternator through-bolt, then remove alternator.
7. Remove mount bracket bolts and upper and lower mount brackets, if necessary.
8. Install new alternator and belt. Replace belt, if cracks or damage are evident.
9. Adjust belt tension. Measure belt deflection between alternator and crankshaft pulleys, after applying a force of 22 lbs. Deflection should be 7.0 to 10.5 mm (.28 to .41 in.) on an old belt and 5.5 to 8.0 mm (.22 to .31 in.) on a new belt; i.e. one run for less than 5 minutes.
10. Move alternator to obtain proper belt tension. Retighten adjusting bolt to 17 lb-ft and through-bolt nut to 33 lb-ft.

Have fun removing it, the bottom (long one) bolt likes to seize in there and be a real pain in the arse to remove (I've stripped probably 5 of these motors from acuras and hondas). If it is the one I'm thinking of remove the top bolt(s) first then the accessible one on the bottom (holding the bracket on) then put a wrench on the bottom one and move the whole alternator back and forth to slowly remove the whole bracket. When it is out heat up the long bolt and give it a beating, don't mushroom it though unless you want to replace the bolt.