Alternator rebuild or brush question

Since I had my alternator out, I figured I’d do a first time look at the brushes & slip rings (think that’s what they’re called).
Could someone please give me an assessment, as I believe at some point the ring can be too far gone to save? Also seems as though the brush was riding very near the end or maybe this is normal?

 

Oh, it passed the auto store test.

Bearings seem smooth. I can’t get it separated at the main seam to have a further looksee. Although I’m not sure exactly what I’d be lookseeing for.

 

Yeah, Kristi. I'd just get a remanufactured one. You can see it's getting a "U" in it.

Go to Napa or something, NOT Autozone.

I respect your knowledge of mechanics.

Good luck in your endeavor, girl

 

Looks like that alternator is toast...

 

Thank you. Learning. Too bad I didn’t know to check this sooner.

I had wondered about this one even prior to dismantling, so had installed a napa standard, reman. It makes a really annoying hum.

That’s what brought me to taking the denso apart.

 

I’d order some new brushes.
It is wearing down on the end, but they all do that
I would put new brushes in it and then maybe keep your other one as a spare. It probably took a lot of miles to get to where it’s at now and it’ll take a lot more miles to get completely worn through.
Here’s how the last one looked that I rebuilt two years ago and it’s still working great with 300,000 total miles on it.

 

here’s the picture

 

Replace those brushes and you'll be fine with that orignal alternator (and no annoying hum). Here's what worn (and new) brushes look like on the 5VZFE alt:

https://adventuretaco.com/rig-review-what-worked-and-what-didnt-winter-2022/#:~:text=My Alternator Failed (new, resolved)

​

 

I wonder why the Toyota spec is 1.5mm min (absolute min. Don’t think it meant that it was a good idea to let them go that far) if the alternator can go with as much as you had left.

 

Never forget Toyota Reman Alternators are a great deal.

i have one to swap after other more severe issues are fixed.

 

I used to do a lot of ground RC, including electrics, I had a mini lathe for the motor armatures. See that little "up" in the armature at the far left? If you use this one, the armatures will need to be turned, those should be perfectly round and should be a straight line across the length.

As mentioned, a reman is probably the cheapest and easiest route.

 

I’ve purchased “rebuilt” ones only to find out they’re worse off than what I already have.
Although I’ve never purchased a remanufactured one from Toyota. I bet that would be the way to go if you do buy one!

 

So good point, if one was to buy a reman denso, would it matter if it was from, say, NAPA, vs Toyota? I tried searching for where Toyota's parts are rebuilt & didn't come up with much....
https://parts.toyota.com/go/Genuine-Toyota-Remanufactured-Parts.html

 

Then if you go to the denso site, find the alternator & "where to buy", they give you an independent denso parts dealer (not denso) & the auto parts stores names. NAPA for instance, which I guess gets their parts, alternators anyway, rebuilt by BBB in Mexico.

 

Not sure if there's much interest, however I'll throw out there what I found out. All Denso remans, whether it be NAPA, Advanced or Toyota are supposed to be done by Denso themselves. This info is from Toyota. Denso's wasn't open yet (CA).

So I thought cool, Amazon has one for like 180.00. Amazon is a PITB with warranties (seriously, don't get me started. I'm surprised there has been no civil suit), however since the one for this part in general, is one year per Denso, why not? Read a couple reviews & those who had issues after, say, 10 mos were out of luck w/ Denso because Amazon is not an authorized Denso retailer.

So, if you are in the market for a Denso part & end up needing assistance from them in backing the warranty, go to their site & check who is an authorized retailer. Basically it's the auto parts stores & Denso. Rock Auto is not mentioned, nor Summit, etc. They do not mention Toyota either, however I guess that's a no brainer.

One more thing I noticed. If I purchase this alternator from Denso themselves, it appears as if there is no core charge. No need to return, etc. & actually a decent price comparatively. 204.00 shipped.

I might hold out a bit & see if NAPA runs a 20% off. That'll bring it to 207.00 after core return. (The draw being if there is an issue, they are local.) Since we've determined mine is in rough shape, holding on to the core is not a factor for me.

 

For what it is worth I bought my reman Alternator from my Toyota dealer.

After 20 plus years dealing with the same parts manager and owner i get treated good.

 

This thread popped up just in time. Just ordered some new brushes for mine. The top one is a little gouged, but I'm gonna try to clean it up and make it work.

 

If you live in a community of any size see if there is an electrical shop that's been in business a good while. Ask for a bebuild quote.

Our local shop will remove, rebuild, replace for close to the cost of an OTC reman unit, and I think it's better work.

A shop like this will typically do starters as well.

 

The sad fact most of those shops as the owners retire or pass away they are gone.

Just impossible to compete even though a far better product .

I think the nearest to me is about an hour away.