Alternator - new slip rings

[john_gonzo]

FYI for those interested in alternators. I replaced the worn slip rings on the Bosch 150-A alternator from my 2003 3.0. New slip ring kit was $17.

This first pic is at 137,000 miles. A blocked PCV system caused massive oil leaks, alternator was caked in oily grime. The debris pile on the bearing was INSIDE of the cap that covers the brushes and slip rings. (Cap is in background.)


Same miles, cleaned up. Note the faint wear lines on the inner slip ring.


Same alternator at 207,000 miles (70,000 miles since clean-up). Note the wear lines are more pronounced...


... because the ring is down to the plastic!


New slip rings going on.



The rebuild has been problem-free for two weeks and over 3,500 miles. Has been tested from -15F to +85F (lucky road trip 3 days after rebuild).

I started digging for info 70,000 miles ago and finally got the slip ring kit from EuroPartsHouse. Their part number is ALT850K, fits 7-mm shaft. That site also has a good installation explanation here:
Replacing slip rings on internal fan (IF) Bosch alternators

[jacobsen]

Well done, this will come in handy some day. 139k on my 1.8 Alternator.

[old guy]

Bookmarked. Thanks!

At 200k+ I'll probably need this soon.

[john_gonzo]

I should have mentioned the new slip ring kit was only $17. I added that info and link to the first post.

[diuvic]

When my battery died this winter I originally thought it was the alternator. I'm so glad there's a cheap way to fix it if it ever does die on me. I'm at 160k on my 3.0 so I might have to check into doing this in the summer. Thanks!