I am working through some decision of what to do as respects preventive maintenance on my 2006 GX w/KDSS with 147,000 miles. The timing belt was done at 86,000 miles. I need to think about reliability and preventative maintenance. I am thinking of installing a new alternator as a proactive move. So my question is I was looking at the alternator and frankly I do not see how it can even come out with the KDSS. I am sure the dealer can do it but the Lexus dealer would be horrific in cost.

I work on the car myself. Oil changes, differential changes, calipers, brake work, radiator etc. I pretty much stop with that type of work. Has anyone faced an alternator replacement with KDSS? Did you do it in your garage and how did you get it out?

I was also thinking of having the dealer do it when the second timing belt service is done. I could do that early to cut the cost if having the front end opened up makes the labor cost lower. Of course the cost of the alternator from the dealer is probably very high. I presume they take the radiator out but am unsure.

I have had the bumper off and the radiator out in the past. I just don’t remember if that would open up another way to replace the alternator.
Any suggestions?

 

I don’t think it should be too problematic to remove the alternator with KDSS. There are YouTube videos that show how to remove it from below the car and remove it backwards towards the exhaust. Alternatively you can remove the fan clutch, and power steering pump, and access the alternator. This is the way I did it when replacing the serpentine belt tensioner assembly, which you have to remove the alternator to get to the assembly (I did not replace the alternator). There’s also YouTube videos for this way as wel