Alternator Bearing Noise?

[ThePointman]

When I start my pcar, after about 30 seconds I can hear a intermittent clattering noise. If I feel the plastic housing that surrounds the Alternator I can feel the noise vibrating in the housing itself. After shutting the car off I can wiggle the alt blades in and out a bit and makes a similar noise. I am going to take the alt belt off and start the car to see if the noise goes away. I think the noise is the alternator bearing starting to go south. Anyone else have this problem?

[oneblueyedog]

Rotate the fan first after you remove the belt. You'll know if it's the bearings of the alternator.

[tab tanner]

Sounds like that's the problem, I replaced mine for less that $20.00 and a little work

[Scott Clarke]

Where did you get the bearings?
-Scott

[ThePointman]

Yes, where did you get the bearing?

[john walker's workshop]

get the bearings at the local alternator/starter rebuild place. you should provide the number on the bearing, like 6202 for instance. they are pretty common bearings.

[ThePointman]

Sweet, thats what I thought. I hope this is whats making the noise. I cant stand weird noises they drive me nuts cause my Dad taught me how to listen to an engine and have it tell you whats wrong, to adjust rocker arms by feel etc .. So if this noise keeps up much longer I am going to snap!

[rlane]

If you adjusted your belt tension recently and one of the shims got pinched and not in place it could have broken...it clatters for 30 seconds or so before (presumably lodging in the edge of the fan hub......ask me how I know.
You will discover this if you do what you need to do anyway and remove the fan to check the alternator bearing