Machspeed Posted January 26, 2021 Share Posted January 26, 2021 Yesterday after work decided to prep my new 3G alternator for install. Drilled and tapped the case to accept the larger 3/8 16 bolt. Decided the best way to do it was to remove the front of the case, which came off quite easily. Was a little curious about its assembly and also clocking it anyway. After I drilled and tapped it, decided to paint it as discussed in the thread regarding the preservation of aluminum. Interestingly, while the front of the case came off easily, not so sure about removing the rear case. It seems to be loose and I can turn it a little and even move it in and out a little, but something seems to be holding it on. I'm a little nervous about putting pressure on it in fear I may damage something. Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted January 26, 2021 Share Posted January 26, 2021 John - It is supposed to come apart on the rear just like it did on the front. But, the one on Big Blue would not come apart at all, so I left it. This video shows one coming apart, and while I'm starting it at that point, you can scroll back to see more if you want. But on my alternator the aluminum of the case had apparently mated with the steel such that it wasn't going to budge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machspeed Posted January 26, 2021 Author Share Posted January 26, 2021 John - It is supposed to come apart on the rear just like it did on the front. But, the one on Big Blue would not come apart at all, so I left it. This video shows one coming apart, and while I'm starting it at that point, you can scroll back to see more if you want. But on my alternator the aluminum of the case had apparently mated with the steel such that it wasn't going to budge. Yeah, I watched a couple of Youtube vids before I posted and from them, it appears that the front case is the more difficult pull and the back seems to come right off. That was not the case with this BD unit. The front case came right off, but the rear is challenging, as it is loose but won't pull off. I'm a little nervous about pulling on it, as something is holding it. I'll mess with it some more tonight and see if I can't figure it out. Thanks Gary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted January 26, 2021 Share Posted January 26, 2021 Yeah, I watched a couple of Youtube vids before I posted and from them, it appears that the front case is the more difficult pull and the back seems to come right off. That was not the case with this BD unit. The front case came right off, but the rear is challenging, as it is loose but won't pull off. I'm a little nervous about pulling on it, as something is holding it. I'll mess with it some more tonight and see if I can't figure it out. Thanks Gary. There are only a few things that can hold it on, with the rear bearing being one that frequently causes problems. But Big Blue's rear case felt like it was held on with some wires. I could move it a bit and then it would stop. I pried on things hoping it would come apart, but it just felt like I was going to tear something up so I stopped. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machspeed Posted January 27, 2021 Author Share Posted January 27, 2021 There are only a few things that can hold it on, with the rear bearing being one that frequently causes problems. But Big Blue's rear case felt like it was held on with some wires. I could move it a bit and then it would stop. I pried on things hoping it would come apart, but it just felt like I was going to tear something up so I stopped. Good luck! That is exactly how this feels, like I'm going to tear something up. I think there's some kind of retainer under the center cap holding it together. If it were a junk alternator I'd get after it but as is, think I'll just put it back together. I got the hole tapped and the front case painted. Good enough! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 There are only a few things that can hold it on, with the rear bearing being one that frequently causes problems. But Big Blue's rear case felt like it was held on with some wires. I could move it a bit and then it would stop. I pried on things hoping it would come apart, but it just felt like I was going to tear something up so I stopped. Good luck! That is exactly how this feels, like I'm going to tear something up. I think there's some kind of retainer under the center cap holding it together. If it were a junk alternator I'd get after it but as is, think I'll just put it back together. I got the hole tapped and the front case painted. Good enough! That looks like the bearing is hung up. It rotates, but mine didn't. So your symptoms are just right for the bearing not letting go in the case or off the shaft. Turn it over and try to pull the armature out of the back. Or, lift it the way it shows in the video and tap the center of the back, but with a way to catch the armature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
85lebaront2 Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 That looks like the bearing is hung up. It rotates, but mine didn't. So your symptoms are just right for the bearing not letting go in the case or off the shaft. Turn it over and try to pull the armature out of the back. Or, lift it the way it shows in the video and tap the center of the back, but with a way to catch the armature. You did take the regulator and brushes out first I hope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machspeed Posted January 27, 2021 Author Share Posted January 27, 2021 You did take the regulator and brushes out first I hope. Absolutely...lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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