How hard is it to replace an alternator bearing

My 1998 S790 developed a strange noise around the timing belt, that
was changed a few weeks ago. Went to the dealer and they said that
it's the alternator bearing that is loose and they want to replace the
alternator and bearing, and wants to charge a $1000 for it.

How hard is it to change the alternator bearing by myself? Is it
doable, or do you need to have heavy machinery to do it?

Thank you,

Henry

Clara wrote:
> My 1998 S790 developed a strange noise around the timing belt, that
> was changed a few weeks ago. Went to the dealer and they said that
> it's the alternator bearing that is loose and they want to replace the
> alternator and bearing, and wants to charge a $1000 for it.
>
> How hard is it to change the alternator bearing by myself? Is it
> doable, or do you need to have heavy machinery to do it?
>
> Thank you,
>
> Henry


I've only ever changed the whole alternator, if you can find a source
for the bearing you could probably take it apart and change it though. A
new alternator from the dealer is over $400 last I checked, but you can
likely buy a rebuilt one for much less from a local auto parts store.
Changing the alternator is not particularly difficult, if you're
comfortable doing general maintenance.

On Jun 16, 11:00*am, James Sweet <jamesrsw...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Clara wrote:
> > My 1998 S790 developed a strange noise around the timing belt, that
> > was changed a few weeks ago. Went to the dealer and they said that
> > it's the alternator bearing that is loose and they want to replace the
> > alternator and bearing, and wants to charge a $1000 for it.
>
> > How hard is it to change the alternator bearing by myself? Is it
> > doable, or do you need to have heavy machinery to do it?
>
> > Thank you,
>
> > Henry
>
> I've only ever changed the whole alternator, if you can find a source
> for the bearing you could probably take it apart and change it though. A
> new alternator from the dealer is over $400 last I checked, but you can
> likely buy a rebuilt one for much less from a local auto parts store.
> Changing the alternator is not particularly difficult, if you're
> comfortable doing general maintenance.

Thank you James,
You are correct - the dealer had recommended replacing the alternator.
The cause is "Alternator Front Bearing is Failing and Noisy. Need to
Replace Alternator". How much time should I allocate for replacing an
alternator and is there a good site on the web that would step me
thourgh the process. I also have the mechanics manual at home...

Henry

On Jun 16, 11:22*am, Clara <henry...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Jun 16, 11:00*am, James Sweet <jamesrsw...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> > Clara wrote:
> > > My 1998 S790 developed a strange noise around the timing belt, that
> > > was changed a few weeks ago. Went to the dealer and they said that
> > > it's the alternator bearing that is loose and they want to replace the
> > > alternator and bearing, and wants to charge a $1000 for it.
>
> > > How hard is it to change the alternator bearing by myself? Is it
> > > doable, or do you need to have heavy machinery to do it?
>
> > > Thank you,
>
> > > Henry
>
> > I've only ever changed the whole alternator, if you can find a source
> > for the bearing you could probably take it apart and change it though. A
> > new alternator from the dealer is over $400 last I checked, but you can
> > likely buy a rebuilt one for much less from a local auto parts store.
> > Changing the alternator is not particularly difficult, if you're
> > comfortable doing general maintenance.
>
> Thank you James,
> You are correct - the dealer had recommended replacing the alternator.
> The cause is "Alternator Front Bearing is Failing and Noisy. Need to
> Replace Alternator". How much time should I allocate for replacing an
> alternator and is there a good site on the web that would step me
> thourgh the process. I also have the mechanics manual at home...
>
> Henry

Found the following http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index...r-replacement/
-- do I need to re-tention the belts after the replacement? Wonder how
hard it would be....

On Jun 16, 11:31*am, Clara <henry...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Jun 16, 11:22*am, Clara <henry...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Jun 16, 11:00*am, James Sweet <jamesrsw...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > > Clara wrote:
> > > > My 1998 S790 developed a strange noise around the timing belt, that
> > > > was changed a few weeks ago. Went to the dealer and they said that
> > > > it's the alternator bearing that is loose and they want to replace the
> > > > alternator and bearing, and wants to charge a $1000 for it.
>
> > > > How hard is it to change the alternator bearing by myself? Is it
> > > > doable, or do you need to have heavy machinery to do it?
>
> > > > Thank you,
>
> > > > Henry
>
> > > I've only ever changed the whole alternator, if you can find a source
> > > for the bearing you could probably take it apart and change it though.. A
> > > new alternator from the dealer is over $400 last I checked, but you can
> > > likely buy a rebuilt one for much less from a local auto parts store.
> > > Changing the alternator is not particularly difficult, if you're
> > > comfortable doing general maintenance.
>
> > Thank you James,
> > You are correct - the dealer had recommended replacing the alternator.
> > The cause is "Alternator Front Bearing is Failing and Noisy. Need to
> > Replace Alternator". How much time should I allocate for replacing an
> > alternator and is there a good site on the web that would step me
> > thourgh the process. I also have the mechanics manual at home...
>
> > Henry
>
> Found the followinghttp://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index.php/topic/63411-alternator-repla...
> -- do I need to re-tention the belts after the replacement? Wonder how
> hard it would be....

Found this thread that talks about replacing alternator as well:
http://volvoforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36180

On Wed, 16 Jun 2010 11:00:37 -0700, James Sweet
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>Clara wrote:
>> My 1998 S790 developed a strange noise around the timing belt, that
>> was changed a few weeks ago. Went to the dealer and they said that
>> it's the alternator bearing that is loose and they want to replace the
>> alternator and bearing, and wants to charge a $1000 for it.
>>
>> How hard is it to change the alternator bearing by myself? Is it
>> doable, or do you need to have heavy machinery to do it?
>>
>> Thank you,
>>
>> Henry
>
>
>I've only ever changed the whole alternator, if you can find a source
>for the bearing you could probably take it apart and change it though. A
>new alternator from the dealer is over $400 last I checked, but you can
>likely buy a rebuilt one for much less from a local auto parts store.
>Changing the alternator is not particularly difficult, if you're
>comfortable doing general maintenance.


right up! but are we sure that it's not an alignment problem? a bolt
failed on me @ the intersection of nowhere & no brain (grade 8?
whatdayoumean, i never got out of 5th?) the v belt could no longer
transmit power (shredded, there is a Jon Deere that fits) & thus the
alt didn't charge. rebuilt alts are cheap, when i was young & broke, i
once rebuilt a 4 barrel Weber -- try that in your spare time. your
choice. 60 US or 3 days asking yourself -- now where do you think that
goes. i like learning & my money!!!!!

why are you still talking to a dealer? you are now part of a huge
community. network!! you will be taken care of. the only requirement
-- pass it on.

Clara wrote:
> On Jun 16, 11:00 am, James Sweet <jamesrsw...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> Clara wrote:
>>> My 1998 S790 developed a strange noise around the timing belt, that
>>> was changed a few weeks ago. Went to the dealer and they said that
>>> it's the alternator bearing that is loose and they want to replace the
>>> alternator and bearing, and wants to charge a $1000 for it.
>>> How hard is it to change the alternator bearing by myself? Is it
>>> doable, or do you need to have heavy machinery to do it?
>>> Thank you,
>>> Henry
>> I've only ever changed the whole alternator, if you can find a source
>> for the bearing you could probably take it apart and change it though. A
>> new alternator from the dealer is over $400 last I checked, but you can
>> likely buy a rebuilt one for much less from a local auto parts store.
>> Changing the alternator is not particularly difficult, if you're
>> comfortable doing general maintenance.
>
> Thank you James,
> You are correct - the dealer had recommended replacing the alternator.
> The cause is "Alternator Front Bearing is Failing and Noisy. Need to
> Replace Alternator". How much time should I allocate for replacing an
> alternator and is there a good site on the web that would step me
> thourgh the process. I also have the mechanics manual at home...
>
> Henry


I've never done it on a FWD Volvo, but in any case the challenge is
access. There are only 2-3 bolts and about as many wires to R&R, but in
some cars you will swear you need 5 more elbows in your arm to get to
them. Don't skip the "disconnect the negative battery cable" step that
any manual starts with. There is often no fuse of any sort between the
battery and the big red wire on the alternator, and if it shorts to
something, there is enough current available to set the wiring harness
on fire.

On Jun 16, 4:44*pm, James Sweet <jamesrsw...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Clara wrote:
> > On Jun 16, 11:00 am, James Sweet <jamesrsw...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >> Clara wrote:
> >>> My 1998 S790 developed a strange noise around the timing belt, that
> >>> was changed a few weeks ago. Went to the dealer and they said that
> >>> it's the alternator bearing that is loose and they want to replace the
> >>> alternator and bearing, and wants to charge a $1000 for it.
> >>> How hard is it to change the alternator bearing by myself? Is it
> >>> doable, or do you need to have heavy machinery to do it?
> >>> Thank you,
> >>> Henry
> >> I've only ever changed the whole alternator, if you can find a source
> >> for the bearing you could probably take it apart and change it though.A
> >> new alternator from the dealer is over $400 last I checked, but you can
> >> likely buy a rebuilt one for much less from a local auto parts store.
> >> Changing the alternator is not particularly difficult, if you're
> >> comfortable doing general maintenance.
>
> > Thank you James,
> > You are correct - the dealer had recommended replacing the alternator.
> > The cause is "Alternator Front Bearing is Failing and Noisy. Need to
> > Replace Alternator". How much time should I allocate for replacing an
> > alternator and is there a good site on the web that would step me
> > thourgh the process. I also have the mechanics manual at home...
>
> > Henry
>
> I've never done it on a FWD Volvo, but in any case the challenge is
> access. There are only 2-3 bolts and about as many wires to R&R, but in
> some cars you will swear you need 5 more elbows in your arm to get to
> them. Don't skip the "disconnect the negative battery cable" step that
> any manual starts with. There is often no fuse of any sort between the
> battery and the big red wire on the alternator, and if it shorts to
> something, there is enough current available to set the wiring harness
> on fire.

Thank you for the suggestions. It turns out, based on talking to the
mechanics, that it is the wheel-and-shaft (on which the belt rests) of
the alternator that is loose (e.g. wiggles a bit) and that what's
causing the noise. The dealer just replaced drive belt (and timing
belt) about a couple of weeks ago. Since I'm not sure in terminology,
what is the belt that is connected to alternator? And does one touch
the belt connected to alternator to replace timing belt and drive
belt? Should I trust them with another repair if I do decide to go
with a mechanic doing it?

Of course they told me I have to replace alternator immediately, and a
new one will be around $1000. Thanks to the posts, I figured I can get
rebuild alternator for half the price ~$270, and then their labor is ~
$370. Really tempted to do it myself -- the only big stopper is how do
I know whether the belt is tight on it after putting the belt back?
And how hard is it to get the belt off it?

Sorry for too many questions,

Henry

Henry

On Wed, 16 Jun 2010 23:58:50 -0700 (PDT), Henry <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

>On Jun 16, 4:44*pm, James Sweet <jamesrsw...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> Clara wrote:
>> > On Jun 16, 11:00 am, James Sweet <jamesrsw...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> >> Clara wrote:
>> >>> My 1998 S790 developed a strange noise around the timing belt, that
>> >>> was changed a few weeks ago. Went to the dealer and they said that
>> >>> it's the alternator bearing that is loose and they want to replace the
>> >>> alternator and bearing, and wants to charge a $1000 for it.
>> >>> How hard is it to change the alternator bearing by myself? Is it
>> >>> doable, or do you need to have heavy machinery to do it?
>> >>> Thank you,
>> >>> Henry
>> >> I've only ever changed the whole alternator, if you can find a source
>> >> for the bearing you could probably take it apart and change it though. A
>> >> new alternator from the dealer is over $400 last I checked, but you can
>> >> likely buy a rebuilt one for much less from a local auto parts store.
>> >> Changing the alternator is not particularly difficult, if you're
>> >> comfortable doing general maintenance.
>>
>> > Thank you James,
>> > You are correct - the dealer had recommended replacing the alternator.
>> > The cause is "Alternator Front Bearing is Failing and Noisy. Need to
>> > Replace Alternator". How much time should I allocate for replacing an
>> > alternator and is there a good site on the web that would step me
>> > thourgh the process. I also have the mechanics manual at home...
>>
>> > Henry
>>
>> I've never done it on a FWD Volvo, but in any case the challenge is
>> access. There are only 2-3 bolts and about as many wires to R&R, but in
>> some cars you will swear you need 5 more elbows in your arm to get to
>> them. Don't skip the "disconnect the negative battery cable" step that
>> any manual starts with. There is often no fuse of any sort between the
>> battery and the big red wire on the alternator, and if it shorts to
>> something, there is enough current available to set the wiring harness
>> on fire.
>
>Thank you for the suggestions. It turns out, based on talking to the
>mechanics, that it is the wheel-and-shaft (on which the belt rests) of
>the alternator that is loose (e.g. wiggles a bit) and that what's
>causing the noise. The dealer just replaced drive belt (and timing
>belt) about a couple of weeks ago. Since I'm not sure in terminology,
>what is the belt that is connected to alternator? And does one touch
>the belt connected to alternator to replace timing belt and drive
>belt? Should I trust them with another repair if I do decide to go
>with a mechanic doing it?
>
>Of course they told me I have to replace alternator immediately, and a
>new one will be around $1000. Thanks to the posts, I figured I can get
>rebuild alternator for half the price ~$270, and then their labor is ~
>$370. Really tempted to do it myself -- the only big stopper is how do
>I know whether the belt is tight on it after putting the belt back?
>And how hard is it to get the belt off it?
>
>Sorry for too many questions,
>
>Henry
>
>Henry

the rebuild price still seems steep. contact me privately i might have
a line on better/cheaper.

oooh!! you raised a # of points. replacement 30 min to 3 weeks (45
min). 4 hands are better than two (esp if the +2 are young strong &
stupid). tension? well, you know when you know. it just runs right.
officially, check deflection -- it should be about 1cm. getting the
belt off is not a problem a knife, scissors, a rusty spoon. putting
back together is more of a problem. i think you will need to pop the
timing & re tension everything.

this raises another ? WTF? alts don't just break. people put them back
together usdab & then they fail. whoever replaced the timing belt
needs to answer a few ?s.

On 17/06/2010 07:58, Henry wrote:


> Really tempted to do it myself -- the only big stopper is how do
> I know whether the belt is tight on it after putting the belt back?
> And how hard is it to get the belt off it?
>

According to my Haynes manual (I no longer have the car, so I can't
verify) there is a spring-loaded tensioner which automatically maintains
the correct tension. It says you have to relieve the tension when
removing and re-fitting the belt by putting a spanner on the tensioner
nut and turning it anti-clockwise - i.e. pushing the end of the spanner
towards the rear of the engine compartment.

*Sounds* easy enough! (but the reality may be different).
--
Cheers,
Roger
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