alternator access on an Audi A4 B8 3.0tdi engine AUDI A4 B8 Avant (8K5) (11.2007 - 12.2015)

Has anyone attempted to replace the alternator on a 3.0tdi Engine? it is under the righthand side of the engine (facing forward) and is up behind several ancilliary pipes (coolant, A/c and possibly oil as well and seems completely inaccessible unless the entire front of the car is removed including the radiator and a/c condensor with all the attendant agravation of regassing, draining down etc. The ‘not charging’ warning has come up on the dashboard display so it could be any or all of the regulator, overun alternator pulley clutch or the alternator itself, or possibly the wiring to the alternator, all of which require access to it but I can’t even get an avometer onto the contacts on the rear of the alternator. The car is not worth a lot now so i don’t want to spend a fortune on a garage tearing the whole front down which would cost more than the replacement alternator by a factor of two or three. I have previously had the front of the car put into the service position to change the serpentine belt, water pump and tensioner but I don’t think it is going to give enough clearance to remove the alternator. as putting the front valance into the service position only hinges it from the bottom unlike the previous model (B7) that slid forward on two long bolts. Anyone tried it?