New alternator needed maybe! - Page 2

sylvester · 1st December 2020, 09:33

Many thanks for the several replies to my post. I have at last got round to progressing this after I finally sorted my other car - a Mazda Eunos.
Looking at the job in hand there doesn't appear to be enough space in front of the alternator cover to get at it and clip it off. If any of those who have suggested that the brush housing can be removed with the alternator still in situ please confirm that this is the case or if it is necessary to undo or swivel the alternator please let me know. I've persuaded my obliging local garage - a 5 minute walk from home - to look at the job of getting at the brushes without having to dismantle half the car.
If I can tell my chap what if anything needs to be done I'm sure he will be ok with that.
I'm assuming that the alternator on my Rover is a Valeo if Haynes are to be trusted! Its a 2003 CDTi

trikey · 1st December 2020, 10:17

The brush pack can be fitted with the alternator in place.

COLVERT · 1st December 2020, 18:11

There's possibly the information you need in the How-Tos on the main page. Probably need a little bit of a search though.

It runs · 1st December 2020, 18:45

I changed mine without removing it . It's a little fiddly removing the plastic cover . You have to work blind .
But if you look at a few pickys on the internet .
Just pictures of the alternator .then you can mentally visualise where the bolts are .
That's what I did anyway

sylvester · 4th December 2020, 08:43

As mentioned in my previous post I took the car to my local garage to see if they could get to the brushes without taking half the car apart. Hardly surprising but my mechanic couldn't get his hand on it so that was that.
What he did do was give the alternator a tap with a hammer and now its charging again - but its done this before so I know its by no means a 'fix'
What I would like to know if either Colvert or It Runs can advise is how the black cover is attached to the alternator body.
I've read the tutorial on You Tube regarding replacing Valeo brushes and see that the cover on some versions is simply clipped on and can be prized off with a screwdriver. On others the cover is held in place with two screws - I can't see how these can be accessed with the alternator in situ.
If its the former I would guess that unbolting the brush housing should be tricky but not beyond my own skills.
In the latter case I'm looking at a £400 bill and given the value of the car wondering if its time to dispose of it. I await an encouraging response!

trikey · 4th December 2020, 08:58

Two bolts holding the cover on!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It runs · 4th December 2020, 17:21

Yes 2 bolts plus the 13 mm for the output to the battery.
3/8th socket set iether 7. Or 8 mm can't remember
Long extension about 20 cm anyway.
Disconnect battery first.
And ? I have said this before good led light and do it at night as the lighting wil light everything up much better . search pictures on internet to get familiar with where you are putting socket .
Imagine looking at the rear of the alternator
1 bolt is at 9 o'clock and the other at 3 o'clock.
It is fiddly but it can be done
I did mine 2 years ago still working fine

YHT · 5th December 2020, 17:48

Did mine a couple of years ago. An illuminated mirror help you see around corners and get an idea what you are trying to do blind. The kit I got came with a little removable plastic sleeve to mount with the brushes that held the brushes clear of the slip ring, that seemed to help a lot with re-assembly. Good luck and lots of patience.

marinabrian · 5th December 2020, 20:13

The tap with the spanner means it only requires a new set of brushes

LINK

A bit cheaper than an alternator and fitting, if you're not confident about fitting brushes alone, then a complete regulator pack is available.

I can do the job start to finish in a leisurely hour, and it can definitely be done with the alternator in place.

It beats fitting an alternator, both in terms of cost, and your knuckles

Brian

sylvester · 6th December 2020, 09:38

Many thanks once again for updated info on the repair of my alternator. In particular the instruction to reach the two bolts holding the end cover with a socket and long extension.
I've watched the tutorial on you tube on how to remove the brush housing which although out of sight in situ shouldn't be too hard a job.
My plan is to have a go at the cover bolts now that I know what sort of fasteners are in use. If I can successfully 'crack' these I'll nip them back up and order new bushes and wait for these to arrive before going any further.
I will report the outcome in due course!
Thanks once again!

1st December 2020, 09:33	#11
sylvester Loves to post Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Rochester Kent Posts: 256 Thanks: 18 Thanked 22 Times in 9 Posts	Alternator fix update Many thanks for the several replies to my post. I have at last got round to progressing this after I finally sorted my other car - a Mazda Eunos. Looking at the job in hand there doesn't appear to be enough space in front of the alternator cover to get at it and clip it off. If any of those who have suggested that the brush housing can be removed with the alternator still in situ please confirm that this is the case or if it is necessary to undo or swivel the alternator please let me know. I've persuaded my obliging local garage - a 5 minute walk from home - to look at the job of getting at the brushes without having to dismantle half the car. If I can tell my chap what if anything needs to be done I'm sure he will be ok with that. I'm assuming that the alternator on my Rover is a Valeo if Haynes are to be trusted! Its a 2003 CDTi

1st December 2020, 10:17	#12
trikey Premium Trader Rover 75 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Devon Posts: 33,769 Thanks: 8,837 Thanked 14,831 Times in 8,030 Posts	The brush pack can be fitted with the alternator in place. __________________ Lest we forget..

1st December 2020, 18:45	#14
It runs Avid contributor Rover 75 saloon Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Skelmersdale Posts: 181 Thanks: 15 Thanked 49 Times in 42 Posts	I changed mine without removing it . It's a little fiddly removing the plastic cover . You have to work blind . But if you look at a few pickys on the internet . Just pictures of the alternator .then you can mentally visualise where the bolts are . That's what I did anyway __________________ Changed everything that needs changing and everything that didn't . It's called preventive maintenance.

4th December 2020, 08:43	#15
sylvester Loves to post Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Rochester Kent Posts: 256 Thanks: 18 Thanked 22 Times in 9 Posts	Alternator fix update again As mentioned in my previous post I took the car to my local garage to see if they could get to the brushes without taking half the car apart. Hardly surprising but my mechanic couldn't get his hand on it so that was that. What he did do was give the alternator a tap with a hammer and now its charging again - but its done this before so I know its by no means a 'fix' What I would like to know if either Colvert or It Runs can advise is how the black cover is attached to the alternator body. I've read the tutorial on You Tube regarding replacing Valeo brushes and see that the cover on some versions is simply clipped on and can be prized off with a screwdriver. On others the cover is held in place with two screws - I can't see how these can be accessed with the alternator in situ. If its the former I would guess that unbolting the brush housing should be tricky but not beyond my own skills. In the latter case I'm looking at a £400 bill and given the value of the car wondering if its time to dispose of it. I await an encouraging response!

4th December 2020, 08:58	#16
trikey Premium Trader Rover 75 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Devon Posts: 33,769 Thanks: 8,837 Thanked 14,831 Times in 8,030 Posts	Two bolts holding the cover on!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Lest we forget..

1st December 2020, 18:11	#13
COLVERT This is my second home R75 Saloon. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: France/or Devon. Posts: 14,003 Thanks: 3,851 Thanked 2,167 Times in 1,816 Posts	There's possibly the information you need in the How-Tos on the main page. Probably need a little bit of a search though.

4th December 2020, 17:21	#17
It runs Avid contributor Rover 75 saloon Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Skelmersdale Posts: 181 Thanks: 15 Thanked 49 Times in 42 Posts	Yes 2 bolts plus the 13 mm for the output to the battery. 3/8th socket set iether 7. Or 8 mm can't remember Long extension about 20 cm anyway. Disconnect battery first. And ? I have said this before good led light and do it at night as the lighting wil light everything up much better . search pictures on internet to get familiar with where you are putting socket . Imagine looking at the rear of the alternator 1 bolt is at 9 o'clock and the other at 3 o'clock. It is fiddly but it can be done I did mine 2 years ago still working fine __________________ Changed everything that needs changing and everything that didn't . It's called preventive maintenance.

5th December 2020, 17:48	#18
YHT Loves to post Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: suffolk Posts: 264 Thanks: 46 Thanked 25 Times in 23 Posts	Illuminated mirror Did mine a couple of years ago. An illuminated mirror help you see around corners and get an idea what you are trying to do blind. The kit I got came with a little removable plastic sleeve to mount with the brushes that held the brushes clear of the slip ring, that seemed to help a lot with re-assembly. Good luck and lots of patience.

5th December 2020, 20:13	#19
marinabrian MG ZT Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne Posts: 20,151 Thanks: 3,565 Thanked 10,837 Times in 5,718 Posts	The tap with the spanner means it only requires a new set of brushes LINK A bit cheaper than an alternator and fitting, if you're not confident about fitting brushes alone, then a complete regulator pack is available. I can do the job start to finish in a leisurely hour, and it can definitely be done with the alternator in place. It beats fitting an alternator, both in terms of cost, and your knuckles Brian

6th December 2020, 09:38	#20
sylvester Loves to post Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Rochester Kent Posts: 256 Thanks: 18 Thanked 22 Times in 9 Posts	Alternator fix update again - no 2 Many thanks once again for updated info on the repair of my alternator. In particular the instruction to reach the two bolts holding the end cover with a socket and long extension. I've watched the tutorial on you tube on how to remove the brush housing which although out of sight in situ shouldn't be too hard a job. My plan is to have a go at the cover bolts now that I know what sort of fasteners are in use. If I can successfully 'crack' these I'll nip them back up and order new bushes and wait for these to arrive before going any further. I will report the outcome in due course! Thanks once again!