Alternator Bearing

[SAMO-87]

Hi all,

Hope to get some help, or just enlightenment...

I have this squeal at the moment, coming from the alternator. It usually happens on a cold day, and won't shut up, till i swicth it off! It's embarassing to drive around at the moment, with the stares I get!

Just wondering if it would be cheaper to get the alternator re-co'd, or get a new one? It sounds like the bearing at the front of the alternator, so i'm guessing it wouldn't be too much to fix..

Thanks,

Sam

[VrWagz1]

I havnt actually done a commodore v8 alternator bearing, but it cant be that hard surly. Just get your bearing puller and rip it off and take it down to the auto shop and get them to order you one, or if you cant wait go to your local bearing manufacturer (see yellow pages) and buy one there straight up. Should cost about 3 to 5 bucks.
But if your not strapped for cash, the next easiest and cheapest way is to get an exchange one and just swap them out. 10min work. Or you could try your luck with a second hand one from a wreckers, probably 50 or 60 bucks.

[Morton]

Best bet, if you know any mates with a VN or VP or VR - the alternator is only two bolts, so do a 2min swap with a mate's alternator and see if it still squeaks. Just to make sure.

I could have sworn I had a sqeaky alternator late last year - turned out to be a water pump. But it doesn't hurt to check before you spend any money. If you're keen to get in there, pulling an alternator apart isn't too hard. But it's just as cheap to pick up a second hander for $20 I chucked a 2nd hand alternator on my VP when it started fouling, and never had a fault with it.

[SAMO-87]

OK thanks for that guys. I'll probably head down to the wreckers during the week and get another one. I am very confident it is the alternator bearing, because almost every other moving part on the front of the engine has been replaced with new (water pump, belt tensioner, harmonic balancer, p/s pump.)

Cheers,

Sam