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Rebuilding an alternator, anyone done it?

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Old 12-08-2017, 12:35 PM
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Rebuilding an alternator, anyone done it?

Hey guys... any of you ever tried to rebuild using a kit with just regulator and bearings? I think I can do it... and it seems like not to difficult a job. Do the rectifiers generally go bad too, or is it just the regulator??

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks again.
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Old 12-08-2017, 02:14 PM
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I have had success with an electrical shop rebuilding mine. I know I had diodes replaced..it was smelling really really bad. Beyond that, unsure about other parts but rectifier sounds familiar to me.
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Old 12-08-2017, 11:07 PM
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I've had a few rebuilt at a local shop over the years. These guys go through and do a lot more than you're describing. I really don't know all the details though.

It may or may not be worth a try. Swapping the alternator isn't super hard but it's not something I'd want to do over and over. It's also not something you want to have fail a few months down the road.
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Old 12-09-2017, 08:35 AM
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Originally Posted by Derrick2k2SE
I've had a few rebuilt at a local shop over the years. These guys go through and do a lot more than you're describing. I really don't know all the details though.

It may or may not be worth a try. Swapping the alternator isn't super hard but it's not something I'd want to do over and over. It's also not something you want to have fail a few months down the road.
yea !! when mine went is was random / sparatic and a pain in the butt when it decided to act up. i had a grounding kit and that masks or changes a lot of typ symptoms people get with batteries and charging and electronics systems etc etc.

go the best OEM equivalent since they do not make OEM ones anymore (even if it says it is, its still basically an aftermarket)

never looked back been 3-4 years w new one
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Old 12-09-2017, 02:33 PM
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Very easy hit me up if you want directions i did it for 12 years at a rebuilder
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Old 12-09-2017, 11:29 PM
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If you are going to rebuild the alternator, replace the brushes as well.
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Old 12-10-2017, 05:30 AM
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Why not rebuild it yourself and make it better? The last few times I wasn't in a jam I had a local guy rebuild mine and he makes the considerably more powerful. 20-30 amps. And more stable/output at idle. This guy actually designed/invented some part for tractor alternators and after he retired started rebuilding them as a hobby. He's 90 now and can't do it anymore but I'm sure there's other guys that can do it. The last on I got from him was like 130 bucks I provided the core, it was originally 180 amp and when he was done it was like 215 at 2800 rpm( for my truck). He did they for several cars off mine. It was always cheaper than OEM replacement. I'm just putting a big in your ear off the possibilities.
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Old 12-10-2017, 06:46 PM
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Brushes come with the regulator
Making a higher amp oem case alty is almost impossible.gm cars are easy due to delco using the same parts.
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Old 12-10-2017, 06:55 PM
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To rebuild you need:
Rectifier
Regulator
DE bearing
SRE bearing
Scotchbright pad
220 sandpaper
Soldering iron 100w+
Heat transfer compound
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Old 12-10-2017, 07:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Jagalag
Hey guys... any of you ever tried to rebuild using a kit with just regulator and bearings? I think I can do it... and it seems like not to difficult a job. Do the rectifiers generally go bad too, or is it just the regulator??

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks again.
yes if you remove the alt what i suggest is unplug the ssubharness at the bracket and leave it plugged in at the B-plug on the thing.

Then get a new sub-harness and plug it in before installing it on your work bench.

Make sure its a tight clean connection!

Then plug in at bracket after mounting it!

Its close to impossible to plug that ****er in after mounting the alternator.

Last edited by maximatech12; 12-10-2017 at 07:38 PM.
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Old 12-11-2017, 09:05 PM
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Hard to separate without a puller...I've disassemble a couple to change the rectifier assy and bearings...Never had a regulator issue...Usually it's easy to find good junkyard units....
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