Mazda Repair: Mazda Alternator, alternator belt, pivot bolt

Question
I am trying to remove an alternator from a 1996 Mazda Protege.  Step by step instructions would be apprciated

Answer
tep one, buy a repair manual.

Step two, read.

Step three, count yourself lucky that I didn't give you a three page instruction on it because the pictures in the book are so much easier to understand than my instructions "which would have kept you suspended in technical agony for an hour or more". I have a 95 and a 96 and I can tell you two things that the book will not. Go to Mazda and get a new alternator tensioner because they usually break and you will not be able to install the alternator without it.
Get a cheap 10MM wrench and hack saw off the box end with 3 inches of handle to use to pretension the alternator.

The alternator tensioner is a lot like a Honda and uses a long 10mm bolt that screws through a pivot bolt to tension the alternator belt. Once the proper tension is reached the pivot bolt is tightened to lock the assembly in place. It is almost impossible to save the tensioner if it is rusted and you must use a suitable ratchet and wear gloves when you snap the bolt off intentionally to get it out. I found this out the hard way and had to use the power steering tensioner "close, but not the same" to rig it so I could drive it to the dealer and get the right part.

Book = $16 @ NAPA
Wrench = $1 to $3 at NAPA
Ratchet set = $25-$30 at NAPA


Wish I could be more helpful with this, maybe AllExperts will add file attachment someday so I can send pictures of how to do it and diagrams from my tech manuals.

Regards,

John