Alternator Whine - Bearings

[MattyB]

Elise has been sat for a while, drove it after about 4-5 weeks to be serviced and noticed a buzz/whine from directly behind me.

 

TGA tell me the alternator bearings are on their way out; seems a replacement alternator is £300 but I'm tempted to try to get it refurbished instead? The car will be off the road over winter so while it's in bits I'll get it sent off - can anyone recommend anywhere?

 

Edit - EuroCarParts do a Bosch on exchange for £190, or an RTX (?) for £133....but sounds tooooo cheap.

[Phil S1]

If you can find someone to refurbish it that may well be the best option. So many of the aftermarket ones don't seem to last 5 minutes.

[dobbo]

Bearings are cheap enough.  I did mine with parts from Woods (I think, not hard to find on t'interweb).  Just take your time and be careful drifting the old ones off.  I damaged the rotor and needed to replace that as well.  Still cheaper than a new one though.

[MattyB]

Bearings are cheap enough.  I did mine with parts from Woods (I think, not hard to find on t'interweb).  Just take your time and be careful drifting the old ones off.  I damaged the rotor and needed to replace that as well.  Still cheaper than a new one though.

 

TBH I think I'll just pay someone to refurb mine D&R Starters in Wolverhampton looks decent, so I'll see what they charge.