silentblackhat

I am about to do a full inspection on my timing belt to see if i need to change it over winter break or not. In the helms manual i have says to take out the stearing pump and the alternator to get the top cover off(along with other things, valve cover..ect). I am wondering from people that has had experience in doin this at home, do you have any advice that would maybe make it easier? Also, when it says take out stearing pump does the book mean litearally take the while thing out or just take it off its mounts and st it aside in the engine compartment where it is attached? i am asking this becasue it seems like there is a really tough hose hooking to the pump that i was wondering if i had to remove. Would you also reccomend putting the car on jackstands to do this? (all 4 wheels or just the front?) also to raise the vehicle on the front should i used the front jack stand point(i think i saw it in the chiltons i ahve also that there is a floorjack point on there. well anything would be helpful, thanks.