rebuilding the Alternator

[Cool Zr2]

Is there instructions somewhere on the net that will guide me into rebuilding the alternator? I want to have a look into the process before I take it apart and get confused. I'm sure there isn't much to it but I would like to have a look.

[snoman]

What year/type is it as they are generally pretty easy to rebuild.

[Cool Zr2]

What year/type is it as they are generally pretty easy to rebuild.

Its just a 97 s-10/fullsize alternator.

[snoman]

When they go bad it is usually the regulator or brushes or the bearings in that order. The hardest part is something getting the nut holding pulley on loose (trying to hold shaft and break nut loose. The slickest way to do it is with a impact wrench and it will zip it right off and right back one when you are done. When you split case the brushes will pop out and there is a hole in the back of the alt near bearing to slide a tooth pick in or the like to hold them in holder to reinsert armature. I alway put a dad of grease in rear bearing cap or replace it because they always seem to dry up first and fail.

[Cool Zr2]

can I loosen the nut when the alt is still on the motor, use the belt tension from the tensioner to hold the alt in place so it don't spin?

[citydriver]

can I loosen the nut when the alt is still on the motor, use the belt tension from the tensioner to hold the alt in place so it don't spin?

 

Sometimes but you may have to hold the belt to keep the engine from turning over....But unless you are going to replace the front bearing,you should'nt have to take the pulley off...the regulater,brushes and rectifier/diode assy are mounted to the back 1/2 of the case...but if you are changing the rotor/armature or adding wire/windings you will have to pull the pulley.

[snoman]

Bearings are cheap and I usually replace them as when the fail that can toast the unit if they get bad enough. The back one usualy squeak or growl when failing but front one can grind and sieze suddenly too. Cheap insurance.