Bearings in alternator going, going, gone?

[Cynic]

Lifted the hood last night, and the racket was incredible! Alternator bearings, I assume (as does the guy who was in parking lot next to me, who heard it, looked in, then stuck his head in and put his ear to the engine. Only this car has ever elicited that response in others....if it had been the Volvo, he just would have continued on his way!).
My question...Rebuild this one, buy new or rebuilt, re-manufactured, or salvage? Suggestions on brand/model appreciated.
No warning lights or other problems.
Also, at this stage, do I have to replace battery too? ( in reading other posts, this seems to be the suggestion if it dies)

Thanks Guys and Gals,

Cynthia

[svxcess]

Originally Posted by Cynic

My question...Rebuild this one, buy new or rebuilt, re-manufactured, or salvage? Suggestions on brand/model appreciated.
No warning lights or other problems.

I would go HERE Total rebuild and a 2 year warranty. They even pay to have your old core shipped back to them. About the same price as a used alternator.

Originally Posted by Cynic

Also, at this stage, do I have to replace battery too? (in reading other posts, this seems to be the suggestion if it dies)

How old is the battery and did it give you problems before the alternator bearing? If the battery dies, I would just replace it.

The alternator didn't die (no warning lights, etc.) and damage the battery, it just had a loud bearing. That should not have affected the alternator output or the battery.

Put in the new alternator and then have the battery checked to see if it is charging properly. Then make the decision on the battery.

.

[Blacky]

The link didn't work for me.

[svxcess]

Fixed the link. HERE it is.

,

[lhopp77]

I think I would recheck other idler pulleys, etc before I tackled the alternator. An alternator going bad usually gives you some other indication besides noises.

Lee

[Cynic]

Update...

The alternator stopped making the noise...

Took it in, lifted the hood, nothing. Working normally. No warning lights, dimming of lights, etc. Has not made the noise since...only that once that I know of.

So, do I change it out anyway? Wait til something else happens?

Thanks

[Splinter]

Come by my work sometime, I rebuild starters and alternators

[kwren]

alternator bearings cannot make that kind of noise and then recover.

Keith

[dcarrb]

Originally Posted by Cynic

So, do I change it out anyway? Wait til something else happens?

Thanks

I agree with lhopp77: Rule-out other rotating stuff before replacing the alternator. Someone with a mechanic's stethoscope could probably isolate the source of the noise.

dcb

[Trevor]

Originally Posted by dcarrb

I agree with lhopp77: Rule-out other rotating stuff before replacing the alternator. Someone with a mechanic's stethoscope could probably isolate the source of the noise.

dcb

Here too,

A piece of flexible tubing works quite well as a make shift stethoscope.

[Cynic]

Thanks, I was thinking I would rule out anything else first. And yes, I may need it rebuilt, Splinter...