So the alternator bearing on my R50 started chirping the night before I had a 7 hour drive to make the next day, so I went out and found an AutoZone replacement to get me back on the road ASAP.

Fast forward a week, I'm back at home with time to revisit the repair and I would really like to get the cheap AutoZone reman'd part out of my car so I don't have to worry about it failing on me again in a month. Are there any good kits available I can use to rebuild the factory alternator myself? Searching around, I've only found kits for the Cooper S, not the base model.

If no rebuild kits are available, what is the general consensus of the available reman'd oem units available online? Is there a recommended brand or place to purchase from?

Sorry if this has been covered, searching the forum didn't yield much of a result as to what others are using as a replacement.

 

While much of what Autozone sells is crap, I don't know if I would go through the trouble of replacing the alternator just based on that. If it's working now, I might let it be until/if you have a problem.

The factory reman options are a fine option, as well as the Bosch, or Lucas Girling (which is a rebuild by Bosch).

 

I would rather get it out of the car now while I have time before it leaves me or my girlfriend stranded while I'm out of town. The quick swap would be worth the piece of mind, imo.

Thanks for the part suggestions!

 

As far as alternator rebuild 'kits' I'm not sure. We do have Genuine and OEM supplier rebuilt units here: http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/..._pg1.htm#item0. Those are the 2 options I'd go with. Let me know if you have any questions.

DIY article if needed: http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarti...eplacement.htm

 

While things may have changed since I used to rebuild starters and alternators, aren't the rebuilt units taken off junk cars then rebuilt or cores from replacement units then rebuilt? (rebuilt OEM units?)