I have a 2001 VDP and my alternator bearing seems to be frozen. I went in and removed the air cleaner, unhooked both electrical connections and removed the 2 mounting bolts. The alternator will still pivot on the lower mounting bolt area even though the bolt has been removed. Is it just stuck because it has been there so long? Is there anything else I need to remove to allow it to come out? Do I just need to tap on it to break it loose? Any advice would be great!
Thanks, Brad

 

You need to get a pry bar in between the block and the alternator pivot area. There is a sliding piece that locks it all together when the pivot bolt is tightened. I recommend using the long bolt and a socket big enough to go around the sliding piece and the bolt's own nut. This makes a nice little press to move that piece out before you install the new alternator. You don't want to remove it but just move it back a tiny bit to slide the new alternator in with ease. Sometimes you might be able to get a hammer down on it and try that but the bolt method always works.

 

So I just need to pry it to get it started and then it should come out? Then I need to make sure the sliding parts where the pivot point is need to be pushed a little outward so the new alternator will have the full width to slide back in?

Once I get it loose, what is the easiest route to get it out of the engine compartment? I have read many theories, but I would prefer not to dismantle more than I have to.

Thanks, Brad

 

With the air cleaner and ducting out you will be able to lift it upwards and out after wrastling it out of its mounting. Not too bad really.

This is the tool I made to press back the collar. You have to do it to get the alternator back on.

Its in the JTIS.

It's easy enough to replace the brushes and bearings for little money. Pictures are on the other board.

 

Dan,
I click on your Bolt 137.jpg file and it says I do not have the right privileges to view it. I am new to the forum, what do you mean that "pictures are on the other board"?

Brad

 

Dan, thats a good tool. For simplicity, the only thing anyone really needs is the socket. The alternator bolt and nut fill in as the rest and they have washered heads to help. I like it.

 

Thanks Mark,

Praise indeed from a Master Tech.

Dan

 

You may have to register with this board to see the picture.
Pictures of a Denso alternator rebuild (bearings and brushes) are on the Jag Lovers site.
You will also find Denso rebuild instructions if you Goggle it.
In my case, I replaced only the brushes. The bearings were fine. Denso alternators are well built.
The alternator now has an output voltage of >14V and runs fine.

 

Thanks everyone for your help. I was able to get the alternator out and I replaced it with an alternator from a salvage yard. They said it came from a 2000 model year. It fit and seemed to work fine and no indicator lights are on. My wife says she feels that the car drives kind of sluggish without a lot of power and she feels the air conditioner is no outputing the way it used to. Could I have gotten an alternator that is not putting out enough amps to run the car properly? Any ideas would be helpful.
Thanks, Brad

 

I doubt that is your problem- but use a DVM to measure the battery voltage while the car is idling. You should read between 13.7 and 14.1 volts or so. Maybe you need to tune up the wife?