I just dropped in a new brush pack/regulator unit into my alternator (the original alternator). This is the second replacement brush pack in 243500. At any rate, the alternator now has excellent output, but I noticed when replacing the regulator unit that the bearings should probably be replaced sometime soon...they feel slightly loose, but spin freely without binding. Do any of you all have any experience in either replacing the bearings in the alternator yourself or having an auto electric shop do it. I'd rather replace bearings in this than go to the expense of buying a new (factory rebuilt) alternator ($$$), especially since this alternator's output is perfect. Thanks for the suggestions...

Mike Hale

84 240 243500mi

replacing alternator bearings is no big deal as long as you are willing to deal with rigging up a way to press bearings off and onto shaft. Just rip it apart and what to do will be obvious. Best to buy bearings from a bearing warehouse and use european or american manufacture. Stay away from asian. IMHO they don't last as long!

One thing that I've noticed with rebuilt alternators - they come with cheesy bearings. If you decide to replace them yourself look for the SKF brand in a bearing supply store. Small bearing splitters to separate the bearing from the commutator so that a puller can get at it are around $15.

With almost 250K miles on the alternator, You will probably find that the commutator has deep groves in it. Replacement time. If not, the tools required would be a waste to purchase for a "one time thing". You could go to your friendly local machine shop, and the would press off and press on the new brg. I wouldn't charge for that.

George

I have done this before, (although it's been a few years,) and I don't recall that I had any big problems. George has a very good point about the wear in the commutator. I think I was able to get the old bearings out reasonably well, (I didn't care if I damaged the races, since they were going in the trash anyway,) and I'm pretty sure I had a press to install the new bearings.

When I lived in the "rust belt" I had more of a problem with the windings failing on alternators. (It was actually a volkswagen that gave me all that grief - it's alternator was low and in front, with no splash shield to keep the salt spray out of it.)

Roger

You probably noticed what I did when you had the alternator apart -- the bearing inner race is firmly attached to the shaft.

I was just trying to remove one from a junker, and found it impossible without getting one of those bearing remover tools with the thin plates you can wedge behind the bearing.

Perhaps I saw one in the Harbor Freight catalog...