Howdy. My alternator is broken...
To make a long story short, my bearings are worn out and cause the pulley to heat up and break the belt. One thing i wanted to ask is whether this could cause some strange noise i hear when i try starting when it is cold out. It makes a crackling kind of noise followed by a squeaking.. but when i try to start it after that it starts right up...
But anyway, I was wondering if the whole alternator needs to be replaced or if i can just do part of it? I'm not quite familiar with the construction of alternators so I figured it'd be the whole damn thing, but I was hoping for a quick easy way out.
Also, what needs to be done when the alternator is replaced? Is it just a "take the old one off and put the new one on" deal or is it more compllicated? Any help here would be fantastic
Lastly... If anyone is reading this now, I still need a new alternator. If you have one (or know a good place to get one, besides the 'for sale' part of the forum which i am going to check in just a minute) in decent working condition, and are willing to part with it, make me an offer and I'd be happy to take it off your hands.
Thanks!

 

Overtightened belts are the number one factor in the bearings in the alt and water pump failing. You may wish to double check belt tension on all your belts, or this problem will spread.

You replace you don;t fix it. Parts would be as much as a rebuilt alt. It is very simple to remove and replace with only a couple wrenches required.

Don't buy a used alt with more than 30K miles on it. Also remember the plugs on the alt are model (turbo-non turbo) and series (86-88 vs 89-91) dependent.

 

Oh okay.. anyone know a good place to get a rebuilt alt?

 

well my shop rebuilds alternators, but we are in NC. we usually repalce bearings, voltage regulators and recifiers in the rx7 alternators and soemtimes the rotor and stator if they do not check within spec.

but just check around for a local shop or go to pepboys/advanced auto and get a new one

 

Also open up the yellowpages and call around to shops that rebuild alternators. (eg. specalists, not just people who will sell you a whole new rebuilt unit)