I replaced the original alternator in my car about 70k miles ago with a brand new Denso unit and Tuesday night, the voltage regulator decided to go out. Kind of disappointed in the lifespan, but I have a 1500 mile drive to make Friday, so I went out Wednesday morning, bought one of those reman alternators from NAPA and installed it in the car. I've heard pretty bad things about Autozone, NAPA, and O'Reilly alternators and take road trips a lot so I don't want to have it in my car for any longer than I need to out of fear of being stranded.

While the NAPA part is in there though and still functional, I'm considering rebuilding the old alternator myself. Is this something anyone has DIYed? How difficult is it? And where would you find reliable brushes, bearings, voltage regulators, etc.?

 

This place seems to have replacement parts:
https://www.aspwholesale.com/alterna...or-p16990.html

I found that site by simply performing a Google search for “alternator rebuild kits”

 

I saw that and a couple other sites but there's literally zero info on any of them...

 

How long should a new Denso last, not being a wiseacre actually wondering because I have about 70K on the car and its factory unit which I presume is a Denso. I have a spare Denso alternator purchased off evilbay from a part-out car in case (when) mine goes out; plan to have the original rebuilt at a reputable local shop then swap it back in while still holding the spare.

On the CRAPA / Ottobone / Pep Girls etc units, hit and miss depending on the who/how/what/where of the rebuild. Have heard most are Chinesium and done very, very poorly overall.

 

What are you looking for? You had mentioned parts... Click the link I provided, and then scroll to the tab marked "Parts List" and they had rebuild components.

 

Honestly, I would just replace it anyways after 70k miles. The cost of the alternator is going to be cheaper than a tow anyways if you're stranded somewhere. I was hoping to get atleast 100k out of mine but looks like it wasn't in the cards. I could also have some other electrical issue somewhere that caused it to go bad who knows. All these cars are atleast 15 years old at this point.

 

Sorry, I should've been more specific. I mean the site itself. Is it reliable? Where are they getting the rebuild components from? I'm having a hard time finding that information.