alternator bearings

[Heinrich]

has anybody ever replaced bearings on a E39 530i alternator by your self?

got a more or less quote from caelex for R415 this morning witch i think is not bad at all , but they dont work on saturdays.

 

[P1000]

Seems like a good quote to me. Last I serviced an alternator on my ex audi, I could not get the big front bearing off, not with a puller or a chisel, so I just checked it and it seemed good for another 350kkm and I put it back in the car. Was quite a job to get the alternator off, though...

Was there not someone on the forum that did the job on a 540i E39 and got halfway, then had to have the car towed, because he couldn't get the bolt of the alternator? (after removing the radiator etc.)

Anyway, if that quite includes fitting and removal of the alternator, go for it. Also at that mileage, it might be a good idea to do the brushes as well.

 

[Heinrich]

Seems like a good quote to me. Last I serviced an alternator on my ex audi, I could not get the big front bearing off, not with a puller or a chisel, so I just checked it and it seemed good for another 350kkm and I put it back in the car. Was quite a job to get the alternator off, though...

Was there not someone on the forum that did the job on a 540i E39 and got halfway, then had to have the car towed, because he couldn't get the bolt of the alternator? (after removing the radiator etc.)

Anyway, if that quite includes fitting and removal of the alternator, go for it. Also at that mileage, it might be a good idea to do the brushes as well.

it does not include remove and refit.
i was thinking the same about the brushes.

from what i have read the alternator can be removed without taking the radiator and so forth off.just take out the airbox.
i was able to replace the power steering pump by just removing the airbox and the engine covers at the bottom.

but i will remove it and then decide.

 

[Leimie]

If you have access to a press then this is a diy job. Good quality bearings are just over R100 for the set.

 

[Heinrich]

If you have access to a press then this is a diy job. Good quality bearings are just over R100 for the set.

as luck would have it, i do have access to a press.

thanx for the info.
i have done alternators before, but not bmw alternators.

 

[P1000]

BMW alternators are just normal alternators, nothing special. Made by either Valeo or Bosch.

 

[Hellas]

I had the bearing from my SUV's aircon pump replaced for R120. I removed and Frank at Nesco (in CT) organized a bearing and the pressing.

 

[Heinrich]

mooi man, maybe this is a saturday job afterall.

 

[Solo Man]

I recently had the alternator of my X5 diesel overhauled - when i started it in the morning it sounded as if the alternator bearings were shot. Tried to remove the alternator and only got halfway. Then went to see the specialists and they told me that it was not such a big job to remove the alternator. Gave me a few tips as to how to go about it. Went home and tried again and got it out. The other problem i had was that the lights sort of brightened up when revved above idle speed and the "specialist" said it could be the recifier (i think).
Anyway, had the rectifier and bearings replaced and refitted the alternator, and it is still the same, no difference with the lights or the bearing "rumble". Cost about R1500.00 I have piece of mind now about the alternator being good for another 200k km

 

[Heinrich]

I recently had the alternator of my X5 diesel overhauled - when i started it in the morning it sounded as if the alternator bearings were shot. Tried to remove the alternator and only got halfway. Then went to see the specialists and they told me that it was not such a big job to remove the alternator. Gave me a few tips as to how to go about it. Went home and tried again and got it out. The other problem i had was that the lights sort of brightened up when revved above idle speed and the "specialist" said it could be the recifier (i think).
Anyway, had the rectifier and bearings replaced and refitted the alternator, and it is still the same, no difference with the lights or the bearing "rumble". Cost about R1500.00 I have piece of mind now about the alternator being good for another 200k km

it sucks when you think you found the problem, but then turns out you did not.

 

[Hellas]

If you are unsure, I had the engine running, then took a tommy bar (you can use a screwdriver too) and held it to each component (aircon pump, alternator, idler pulleys etc) and listen with your ear against the top end of the tommy bar, then you can hear a faulty bearing. I did this to pinpoint the aircon pump's bearing.

 

[Heinrich]

If you are unsure, I had the engine running, then took a tommy bar (you can use a screwdriver too) and held it to each component (aircon pump, alternator, idler pulleys etc) and listen with your ear against the top end of the tommy bar, then you can hear a faulty bearing. I did this to pinpoint the aircon pump's bearing.

i did just that
i have also got a modified stethoscope with a piece of bundy tube to listen vely nicely.

 

[Kinnear]

This is one big problem, i wish BMW can sort out. coz i have had up to now 3 Bmw and all 3 hAD this Alternator problems had them fixed myself once true a electrical tech donig that for a living. both times it did not last long and even now on my e60 had the samething. just then i took it straight onetime to the dealer payed the 13k to be getting this over and done

 

[Heinrich]

This is one big problem, i wish BMW can sort out. coz i have had up to now 3 Bmw and all 3 hAD this Alternator problems had them fixed myself once true a electrical tech donig that for a living. both times it did not last long and even now on my e60 had the samething. just then i took it straight onetime to the dealer payed the 13k to be getting this over and done

13k, eina my ei........

 

[Heinrich]

so i finally got round to removing my whining alternator.

i have put this job off for quite some time because i thought it might become a hassle.
anyway, it turns out, it was a 15min job.

took it out, removed 2 idler pulleys that also needs replacing and found a vacuum leak all in one go.
i hope that this vacuum leak is the answer to the rough idle in the mornings.

 

[whattingh]

good too know

 

[Raybimmer]

Good luck , vacuum leak if pipe goes to inlet manifold will effect idle .Hope brgs come off easy , the new ones will have a slight drag to them , the old ones will spin easily but with noise due to wear and incereased clearances .

 

[Heinrich]

Good luck , vacuum leak if pipe goes to inlet manifold will effect idle .Hope brgs come off easy , the new ones will have a slight drag to them , the old ones will spin easily but with noise due to wear and incereased clearances .

and what a noise.
souded like i had a dying cat in my bonnet for the past few months.

i have also noticed that there is an extra connection terminal labeled B2+ or B+2 with nothing connected to it.does anybody know what it is for?

i have googled my arse of and could not find anything.

 

[P1000]

That is the jump start point IIRC.

 

[Heinrich]

That is the jump start point IIRC.

on the alternator?

it is not connected and i do have a jumpstarting point between cylinder 5 & 6 on the intake manifold.