alternator bearing replacement?

KCinBR · KCinBR's Garage

Any one have experience with replacing the Alternator bearings and brushes?

Mine is making a whining type of sound and has been doing it since I bought the car, and was probably doing it long before I bought it. I has not gotten any worse in the last 2 years and would not think much of it if I had not listened to other 3.2 Motors that did not make the same sound.

OK....... the truth is, I need another project for these rainy days when its only 50 or 60 deg.

felix_browne · 01-06-2007, 05:22 AM

this is a much better option than getting a new one if you don't mind potentially removing it a few times. i took mine to a shop that specializes in rebuilding alternators and got new bearings and brushes and bench test the thing for $80 while i waited. Know of a few people who this has not worked out for and had to go through the process a few times to get it working. Might have gotten lucky but the way i look at it my time is free and i like doing the work. Even if i had to do it a couple of times it would still be much cheaper than getting a new one.

as far as the sound, disconnect the belt to the alternator and run the car for a few secconds and see if it still makes the sound to make sure it is the source of the noise. also try spinning the shaft by hand to check the bearings for noise or binding. it could just be the belt whirring/squeeking in which case some soap could do wonders without removing the alternator.

WERK I · WERK I's Garage

Take the alternator out and take it to a few shops and talk to them about it. Don't settle for the first one you find unless you are lucky the on the first stop. They all have test benches where they test the alternator under load and at speed. They'll be able to spot a noisey bearing or bent mainshaft very quickly. I found a great shop here in Appleton, WI. The guy who worked on mine is an old sports car buff himself, so we hit it off right away.
They charged $50USD for the brush/regulator assembly with one new bearing. Warranteed the work for 30 days, which is all I needed.