Alternator : What's the big deal on opening it up yourself
 

Hey All,
I have alwasy want to polish my alternator and not bother sending it out...Everywhere I read it says "oooohhhhh, let a pro take it apart!" really what's the big deal? Have any of you ever pulled yours apart? is there anything to watch out for if trying to do this yourself?

Thanks,
Me

Should be no prob, but be careful removing/installing the bridge and diode trio. Take your time. :)

I've done this few times and even showed Garfinkle.. if you need help let meknow..

Thanks guys...At least I have a bunch of folks now who I knew have done it and can PM them if I get into trouble.

I've polished about 6 of them

Its easy to take off however I've noticed a lot of the front covers get stuck on because of rusting on the shaft

best way then is to put the ends where the bolts go to on the edges of the vise and hit the shaft with a rubber mallet (have someone catch the alternator when it falls through

Another problem is one of the 3 screws inside the back cover its in a weird place and youll have to use a long thin flathead to take it out slowly

for the pulley you must have in impact wrench

Oh and the pins or brushes that pop out when you remove it are simple too. When you go to reinstall it put a paperclip in the hole in the back of the alternator. Then get something to push the brush far inside and youll feel the paperclip go in further. Then do it for the next one and they are both down...install the shaft and then pull out the paperclip

Yanni