E34 540 Alternator replacement

[choccibicci]

Anyone know of any guides for replacing this? It looks like quite a job!

Ta

[BillionPa]

remove engine.
replace alternator
reinstall engine.

:/

[choccibicci]

That would probably be a better option right now!

Thought i'd make a start on getting the alternator out today. Was going well, rad shroud removed ok, air filter housing - no probs, rad popped out - all ok. Fan removed without fuss, removed the top rad hose to ease access.
Slacked off belt tensioners, removed belt, so far so good.
Undo 3 alternator bolts and 2 PS resovoir nuts. All above take less than an hour.
Now I spend 5 hours trying to get the d4mn PS resovoir out as the alternator won't clear the engine without it being removed!
What makes matters worse is that there is one nut holding the lower hoses to the body of the resovoir which is almost impossible to get a good hold on, and its fitted to the rear, under the left hand cylinder head .

Add to this the ASC and ABS units/piping hampering access from above, and the PS pump & under chassis from below. WTH were they thinking when they penned this engine?!

The worst thing of all is that i'm using my other 540 as a doner so i've got to do it all AGAIN!

[Jehu]

I just broight it in to a BMW shop.It was a hair over $600.00 installed.

[BillionPa]

they were thinking, "we are gonna make a killing on out of warranty service muhahahah"