Chad Rebuck wrote: > The bearings on my alternator are shot. Adirondack wants 139 for a > rebuilt one. Is there any way to get the bearings myself instead of > having to pay for a complete rebuild? The alternator works fine, it just > vibrates the engine too much at > 4000 rpm.
Depending on where you live, there are places that still rebuild alternators and starters that are brought in by customers, as opposed to the usual exchange/core basis. Here in the Bay Area, there is a shop in Sunnyvale, Pacific Auto Electric, that will rebuild your alternator, upgrade it for more output, and install ball or roller bearings, replacing the usual bronze oilite bushings that most alternators have, at least in the tail end. The one problem with the bearing deal is that it's not uncommon for the bronze bushings to wear all the way through and into the case casting, which usually renders it unusable. --Holland [email protected] San Jose, CA
