Remove/Replace alternator or alternator brushes questions (1 Viewer)

[Razorshock]

After getting tire of throwing my 1991 LC on a battery tender in-between driving it the 1-2 times a week that I take it out I decided to borrow an ex-mechanic friends battery load tester to use on my 9-month old battery. When the engine is not running I'm 12.5 or so volts (analog gauge). It load tests just fine, but when I start the engine, I'm still at 12.5 or just above that with no accessories on. I used the load tester on another vehicle and it showed 14volts no problem.

So after searching and reading the archives for the past couple of hours it seems to be that the alternator brush replacement would be the next step to try first. I do have an FSM, but I'm honestly only a 1/2 bannana mechanic. I've read that changing the brushes is easy, but I haven't found for sure how difficult it is/how long it would take. Also some posts seemed to imply that it could be done without removing the alt.

Can anyone share their advice/experience with this procedure? How long it took or any tips?

 

[Slomo]

Took me about 45 minutes at a leasurely pace to pull the alternator, change the brushes and re-install. I have pulled many alternators though so some familiarity. Honestly if you follow the FSM you should have no problems. It is easy, requires no special tools beyond some metric wrenches/sockets and a phillips screw driver. Also it is very obvious how everything goes together when you have it out. I say go for it, you will have the satisfaction that you did it and save $. When you put it back together make sure you don't over tighten the alternator belt.

Good Luck

 

[cruiserdan]

It is not that easy nor is it at all cost-effective to change the brushes in an 80 amp 3FE alternator. The brushes are part of the rectifier and a new rectifier costs more (a bunch more) than a complete remanufactured alternator.

The 90 amp 3FE unit (very rare) and the 1FZ units are easy to do and cheap.

 

[JerryLX450]

the 1FZ units are easy to do and cheap.

Dan do you have the part number for the 1FZ? Also how much it cost?

 

[cruiserdan]

Dan do you have the part number for the 1FZ? Also how much it cost?

27370-75060, suggested list $16.52


The rectifier for the 80 amp 3FE alternator is a 27362-72070, suggested list $421.75.....

 

[Razorshock]

PM'd you again Cdan, it appears that I have the external unit after checking. How long in labor hours does Toyota quote for changing it?

 

[cruiserdan]

Changing the alternator is not too bad. I was refering to replacing the rectifier after you get the alternator out of the vehicle.

My catalogs do not have labor times in them.

 

[97 FZJ80]

What is the stock alternator output for a 1FZ? Is there an easy way to upgrade the output with just the brush replacement?

 

[Razorshock]

I'll likely end up taking it to a shop or Toyota for installation after ordering the part from CDan, which is why I'm asking. The FSM wasn't too helpful to me since instructions for removal of alternator only have four steps, and one of those is just disconnecting the negative terminal of the battery... I'm a 1/2 bannana mechanic at best and would need step-by- step, dummy instructions that the FSM doesn't really provide.

 

[cruiserdan]

What is the stock alternator output for a 1FZ? Is there an easy way to upgrade the output with just the brush replacement?

80 amp, no.

 

[Slomo]

It is not that easy nor is it at all cost-effective to change the brushes in an 80 amp 3FE alternator. The brushes are part of the rectifier and a new rectifier costs more (a bunch more) than a complete remanufactured alternator.

The 90 amp 3FE unit (very rare) and the 1FZ units are easy to do and cheap.

I should have read his sig line.

 

[semlin]

whatever happened to the green monster high output alternators that people used to put into the 1fz? did we conclude they were unnecessary?

 

[RavenTai]

whatever happened to the green monster high output alternators that people used to put into the 1fz? did we conclude they were unnecessary?

somebody actually tested one, they do not deliver any more amperage than a stock alternator.

 

[semlin]

somebody actually tested one, they do not deliver any more amperage than a stock alternator.

that right there is why I love this place