blackbeard

Hi,
I've adjusted and also had a mechanic check the belts, but both of us thought they are all tight and not the source of the squeal. Of course the sqeal disappeared as I drove into the mechanic's parking lot, so he did not hear it and was not able to help me diagnose the problem. My alternator still works fine, but another friend of mine said he had one where the bearing went on it. I'm beginning to feel that is the source of the trouble. Has anyone ever replaced the bearing on an alternator ? Wondering if that is a job, doable by a DIY-er or if that is better left to a rebuilder.
Otherwise I'll just opt for a re-manufactured alternator. I'm figuring either way I have to take off the alternator. But since this alternator seems to be working just fine and is a OEM part, I'm thinking it might be smarter and less expensive to try to just replace the bearing rather than the whole alternator.
I'd be interested in any comments from others who may have faced a similar choice and hear what you ended up doing.
P.S. This is the original alternator (i.e. 1993 Maxima GXE with 103k miles).
Thanks !

subs1000w

it could be any of the belt driven accessories like the power streering pump, a/c compressor and the assorted tensioners

i have a niose at startup it sounds like a wine more than a sqeal and disapers after a few minuite

i no its not the a/c copressor beecause i have it disconected. so i think its the ps pump or tensioner pulley so im going to replace those soon