Alternator Replacement or Rebuild?

So my alternator crapped out about 150 miles from home, was able to buy a new battery, and make it home before it dropped below 9v, so that was ok.

Now I need to decide whether to rebuild my stock alternator or buy a rebuilt one.

I have read so much on this forum about this topic. I don't think I want to go the route of installing a bigger alternator because redoing the wiring seems like too much of a hassle.

I found this Denso on rockauto https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=870456&cc=1375343&jsn=2169&jsn=2169

It seems like a decent price considering a shop I trust nearby wants between $150-$200 for the rebuild depending on what the issue is with it. Everything I have read on this forum also suggests keeping OEM components because they are better than today's crap.

I guess my question is to you all who know a lot more than me is, would you trust this rock auto Denso to be as good as the stock one? Are there other options you all have found to be trustworthy? Toyota's rebuilt denso's are north of $200 as well is there a huge difference or just a dealer tax?

Thanks in advance

 

This one is on Toyotapartsdeal.com https://www.toyotapartsdeal.com/oem...)&Location=engine_fuel_tool/alternator,,27020 this one is for my truck. I just replaced the stock alternator for a HO one.
make sure you type in your vin so the correct alternator would be sent to you.

 

I went with a rebuild from Toyota the core charge was cheap enough I could eat that as well.

Now I have 2 alternators one they rebuilt the other I did .

Most cases it is just worn out brushes but you never know till things come apart.

 

The alternator on my '96 went out probably 12-15 years ago and I replaced it with a Toyota rebuilt and it's been fine ever since.
I owned/operated a chain of auto parts stores for 16 years so have a little experience that influenced my decision.

 

I'd assume rebuilding a 1st gen would be similar to a 2nd gen one.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2nd-gen-1grfe-alternator-rebuild-mud-cleanout.453757/

 

take it a alternator shop close to you and have them rebuild it. Its will be better than an auto parts store one. It probably the brushes that went bad.

 

Here is what I went with as I needed more output:
https://www.lceperformance.com/High-Output-Alternator-160-Amp-2000-2004-2RZ-3RZ-p/1080022.htm

 

wait I was about to pull the trigger on this, it ain’t new? Toyota parts deal would sell me a rebuilt one too?

 

If its just the brushes, those are super cheap on rockauto and take about 10 minutes to change.

 

I think it’s new. Call them first to find out.

 

Thanks for the reply

How do you know if it's just the brushes? Is there a simple test?

 

Well, how many miles does yours have? In theory if they wear all the way down, then they don't work. That said, at 200,000 miles, mine still had about 25% left. I would pull the brushs from the back of the alternator and see how they look.

The other possibility, assuming there wasn't a bearing failure, is that the regulator failed. It just bolts to the back of the alternator as well, they're about $100. Not sure how to test it, but it might be in the service manual somewhere.

 

144K miles on the truck.

 

Brushes seem unlikely to me then, unless it sits at idle all the time and doesn't ago anywhere.

I'd probably get the charging system and battery tested just to be sure, and then replace the alternator if tests bad. You could also rebuild it yourself if you're so inclined, there are howtos on youtube.

 

The short answer is if it's just the brushes worn out then it's worth replacing just the brushes and keeping the alternator. If it's the rectifier (diodes) or regulator or some mechanical problem (not mechanical in your case), then just get a rebuilt Denso. In this case the new parts will be almost as much as a rebuilt Denso and probably lower quality.

The brushes are super easy to check. Just take the back cover off the alternator then use a good screwdriver to remove the screws holding the brush holder on. Then you just check the length of the brushes. The minimum is given in the repair manual but it should be obvious if they are worn too short because one of them will no longer contact the spinning shaft. I'm sure there are plenty of DIY pages and videos online showing how to do this and all Denso alternators are about the same so any video will help. Toyota sells new brush holders with the brushes already soldered in for about $20, but if you're a true cheapskate you can solder in your own brushes.

And at 144k miles this is about where you expect the brushes to fail. I disagree with the 0xDEADBEEF on this.

The replaced by part number has a -84 on the end. This is Toyota's indicator that it's a rebuilt part. It should still have whatever warranty Toyota gives on parts.

 

Will an alternator make a low sounding whine?..
Much like a power steering whine?-replaced a ps pump recent but still getting that low whine, also will make the sound if power windows are up all the way and switch is used.

curious if its the alternator going bad, 205k v6 2003

 

Mine has had that noise as well, for the 3+ years I've owned it. My hearing sucks and even with a stethoscope I couldn't tell where it was coming from.
I had same thought as you, sounds like a power steering type of whine. But my fluid was good and the steering was great, and no excessive noise there when I listened with the scope.
I decided to just wait until some other type of symptom showed up to help me locate it. It hasn't got any worse, or better, and I still can't tell where it's coming from. Without it affecting anything, I'm not too motivated to mess with it.
I'm thinking along those lines as well, and it's in electrical or charging system.
I seriously couldn't find it with the scope, but haven't even tried too since I did that first week of ownership.

 

I once had a noise that I swore up and down was power steering. After replacing the power steering pump, I found out it was an alternator bearing

I think the best way to check would be to pull the belt off and then turn the alternator by hand and see how it feels.

 

That's a good idea. Next time I change the belts I'll check the different drive accessories/components that way.

 

The downside sometimes you need to get up and running so your good Denso goes for core charge .

Not everyone can eat a $40.00 or more core charge Sadly