Alternators used to be the easiest thing to replace, but some cars nowadays are just a son of a bitch. If you're not mechanically inclined, just pay someone to do it. But NOT Canadian Tire. I don't know what the problem is there...Maybe it's because there are lots of people working, and no one is really responsible for shoddy work? All I know is that every person I've ever met that had work done at any Canadian Tire was not happy with it. Over priced, and often not done properly. Canadian Tire should just stick to tires. That's the only thing I'd let them do on my ride.
As for where to take your car, there are a couple of different shops in the south that I've got good things to say about. Husky auto center in Woodbine is good. South Pro Automotive on Horton Road has been consistently honest and fair priced since I got my license 17 years ago. There is also JRS Automotive by Chinook. The owner is a good guy. He's fair and honest, just like the other two shops I mentioned.
If you're not taking your car to a dealership for warranty reasons and freebies, your car should go to a smaller shop. Just completely avoid big shops like Canadian Tire or WalMart or random dealerships whenever possible.
And for the record, I don't care where the alternator is located, there's no way it's a $500 job on any Ford.
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