alternator parts

[jolotter]

I've pulled the alternator apart from the 1.6 TD that's going into my vanagon because the bearibgs were seized and when I got it spining again it sounded like it was all full of sand.  When I got it apart the  outer bit with the magnets and the windings was all rusty inside. (Terminology?)   I see that the back end bearing needs to be pressed off.  Does the shaft press out of the front half of the housing?  

Every part was well siezed when I took it apart.  Lots of liquid wrench and gentle coaxing to get the housing bolts out.   I had to cut slots in the philips head bolts and use my hammer impact driver, (more gentle coaxing,) to get the brushes holder out.  What a PITA.  

Are all the parts for a rebuild easily obtainable.  Will I end up saving any cash doing it myself?   Am I wasting my time doing this?

[Vincent Waldon]

My view would be that you have in fact wasted your time already !!! ;-)


Other than the brush assembly parts are extremely hard to come by (not available from VW or OEM suppliers... so you'd likely need to take the bearings into a bearing house and have them measured etc) and my guess is that the commutator is as shot as the rest of the unit sounds anyway... rebuilts are not that expensive and have warrentys too.  And if the 83 van is anything like the 76 I used to have working in the engine compartment was to be avoided if you like your knuckles and temper.

I used to rebuild all that stuff... starters, alternators, etc, but they are pretty much disposable these days.  And, diesels need a really dependable electrical system for those cold Toronto mornings.

Just my opinion... I hate to admit defeat, but I can't match the quality and the cost of a Bosch rebuilt.  These days I rebuild injectors, not alternators !!!


Vince

[burn_your_money]

I'd take it to a shop that rebuilds them, buy one with a warranty and give them yours as a core.