9 replies to this topic

[venkman]

Does anyone know if its worth while replacing alternator bearings,or do you just buy a new one?

 

They are quite worn as you can hear them when its just ticking over,it is charging the battery ok.

 

Cheers.

[Gulfclubby]

I guess that depends on whether you can do the job yourself.

My old man had the coal brushes on an alternator replaced by a specialist. Ended up paying 400.- for a refurbished alternator, when a new one would have been 60.-.

Not a very good investment.

[KernowCooper]

If you can do the job yourself then the bearing are quite cheap, but depends how old the alternator is and if it need any other parts when you strip it?

[venkman]

I have had it in bits before so if i can get the bit off were the brushes are without damaging them i think i can get to the bearings just fine. Its a standard 45amp on a 998.

 

Thanks

[ACDodd]

If its a Lucas A127 then these are not really replaceable unless you have the right tools. Ie press and bearing supports there is a chance the case will crack. The Older Lucas ACR is fine to replace the bearings on.

 

 

AC

[Sleepy Stu]

I would get a new one not really bank breaking

[BVY]

You can buy the uprated one from Minispares for £43. I think it'll cost £20 for a kit to recon your alternator as well as a couple of hours. 

Compared to buying a new one and taking 10 mins to replace... 

[lrostoke]

try squirting some spray grease in while its spinning...always shuts ours up :)

[philip663]

If its a Lucas A127 then these are not really replaceable unless you have the right tools. Ie press and bearing supports there is a chance the case will crack. The Older Lucas ACR is fine to replace the bearings on.
 
 
AC

I stripped and replaced all the bearings in my a127 the other month with no problems. Don't need a press, heat and a big hammer is what you need. A socket of just slightly bigger than size of the bearing on the bottom side and hammer through from the other side should stop the case from cracking. Was able to bead blast the casing and polish it up, looks lovely now . Was about £20 for the 2 bearings, rectifier, bushes, that pick up ring thing and something else, it's brand new now though practically and quiet!!

Edited by philip663, 30 May 2013 - 09:36 AM.

[ACDodd]

I did not say it was impossible but it is easy to wreck them if you are not handy with the tools! The front bearing will also need re locating in the housing and from new they are peened in. This peening usually breaks off and the housing can also crack  due to the bearing being pushed over the lip formed from the original peening. To relocate the front bearing either the case needs to  be drilled & tapped and bolts fitted to act as a clamp or the bearing needs to be fitted with loctite bearing fit or similar. They are peened in for a reason. When you have rebuilt as many as I have, trust me they are not all straight forward.

 

AC

Edited by ACDodd, 30 May 2013 - 04:47 PM.