In my personal experience, I have always gone through the side. Unscrew the plug on the side of the pump, some oil will spill out. With a socket on the nut on the alternator pulley, turn the engine till you see one of the two spring sets line up with the hole. The nut/keeper that holds the springs in, has two notches with a stud in the center. I took a wide flat tip screw driver and cut a u-shaped notch in the center, allowing it to fit over the stud while still engaging the outer notches. I removed all springs and shims, installing the new springs, and tightening them to two(2) firm clicks. Turn the engine some more till the other set lines up with the hole and repeat the steps for the other set. Tighten up the plug, reinstall any parts removed to get to the pump, check oil, go for test drive.
Jordan