Did I break my alternator
 

Just to clarify it is official, I am an idiot. So now that we have that out of the way hopefully you guys can help.

I was working on getting my alternator out of my fan housing. What a pain in the hind quarters by the way. After gently banging, tapping, using John Walkers method to pop the thing out I was having no success. Then I thought that maybe I was doing it wrong and should take out the long 5mm hex bolts. Well I did and half of the alternator came apart. Nothing to be concerned about yet. But putting it back together I broke one of the metal spring loaded contacts that touch the shaft on the end opposite of the fan (toward the front of the car). Are these pieces repairable? Logic tells me they should be, but the pessimist in me thinks I just broke a very functional and expensive part!

I forgot the camera in the garage so I don't have pictures at this time, but if they are required to help answer my question I can get them this evening. Thanks for any help you can give me.

Cheers
Rich

the brushes are spring loaded and they are replaceable. you probably needed to knock it harder than you were doing. can't remember one that didn't come out that way.

Thanks Mr. err Dr. Walker. I finally got the alternator out of the fan housing. I was too gentle as I didn't want to break anything, if you can see the irony in that!

Rich