Is it hard to rebuild the alternator?

I think all I need are brushes. Last time I did one it was 20 years ago. Am I forgeting something, or is it easy to put new brushes in?

- Bill

 

Easy job. More work just getting it apart. New brush set will come with a retaining rod to keep them against the springs until installed. Once everything is buttoned up just remove the rods from the outside.
Use an emery cloth on the commutator to remove any build-up on the copper segments.
New bearings & brushes should readily available at any auto supply house.

 

Not hard at all. It may take you a while the first time, but once you've done it, the next one is cake.

 

i do it in my sleep:laugh: if you have the internal reg,watch which bolts have the insulators & were they go:beer

 

And nobody is mentioning the trick with the paper-clip to hold the brushes in place during re-assembly, to make things easier...?

I think I have to put scans online........

 

Steve mentioned this above.

Devon

 

I hope this will help:



< Click thumbnail :Comp:

 

Step by step: http://www.fourwheeler.com/howto/86978/

 

Cool - Thanks guys! That's what I remembered!

- Bill

 

Bill, Rebuilding a GM alternator, "cake walk!" if you need help let me know, AL.

 

Thanks Al!

- Bill

 

Where do we go to get replacement bearings?

 

I bought a few rebuild kits on eBay <--- link

 

if all you need are the bearings i can sell them for $12 shipped:TU:

 

I'm sorry but the couple I rebuilt in school (about 20 years ago now) were easy EXCEPT for the rear bearing. It's in a blind hole and unless you have an old "scrap" alternator around to use as a beater that bearing in the blind hole can be a booger! If you're housing is on the loose side then the little bearing pullers may get it out but one of the 2 I worked on was TIGHT. The solutiong I was shown was to pack the hole with grease and use the shaft from the scrap alternator as a piston. For the money I'd get a lifetime warranty one from A.Z. and save the one you have if it's got date codes you love. Otherwise get your core fee back.

regards

 

these arent in a blind hole,its open.make sure you support the housing from underneath and use a socket the same size as the outer race and it will press right out.to install set the rear housing upside down so the bearing cup is flush with the surface and press the new one in.or the way i do it is to get the bearing started(make sure its not crooked)set the bearing on the flat suface,get the ram from your press on the inside of the housing and actually press the housing onto the needle bearing.less chance of damaging the bearing or breaking the housing.i started doing it this way because the new castings i get are so tight i was cracking them or tweaking the bearing to throwaway statusou: