alternator noisy

[Bradley G]

It appears the alternator bearing(s) are no longer happy with their current conditions.
Some of you local guys were witness to the noise, last fall during the Buss Ford L/M car show, I did a burnout in the parking lot and it was more than apparent.
justbob thought it was my power steering pump, by his comments.
I bought a stethoscope and confirmed the nose is coming from the alternator
Now in the extreme cold the noise is worse.
I did a rebuild on the Shos' alternator from a local shop a few months back, they do good work but they can be slow to fix.
Last time it took three days to get the parts fixed.
If you have had alternator problems that you fixed out of warranty did you rebuild or replace/upgrade?

[ImpalaSlayer]

this next comment will benifit you in no way but ill say it anyway. i belive this is the same problem my truck is having as when it startes to squeeke the ampmeter will drop

[RF Overlord]

Bradley, are you SURE it's the alternator?

I thought the same thing about The Blackbird...same symptoms as you're describing...I found out when the belt disintegrated that it was the idler pulley that is attached to the alternator bracket. The bearing was destroyed and the pulley had started to rub on the alternator case and on the timing chain cover.

[Bradley G]

I'll double check but the belt is still fine.
Bradley, are you SURE it's the alternator?

I thought the same thing about The Blackbird...same symptoms as you're describing...I found out when the belt disintegrated that it was the idler pulley that is attached to the alternator bracket. The bearing was destroyed and the pulley had started to rub on the alternator case and on the timing chain cover.

[Bradley G]

I got the car today, I'm gonna get a closer look at the idler like Bob said, I took the sample from my stethoscope off the alternator. If the idler is the cause it could be transfering through .

[O's Fan Rich]

Brad, my alt makes noise under load, like when the battery is down and it needs to work to get things back to normal.
It shuts up when things are charged up.

If I keep it on the Battery Tender ( like I should) no noise.

[RoyLPita]

Bradley, are you SURE it's the alternator?

I thought the same thing about The Blackbird...same symptoms as you're describing...I found out when the belt disintegrated that it was the idler pulley that is attached to the alternator bracket. The bearing was destroyed and the pulley had started to rub on the alternator case and on the timing chain cover.

+1 on checking the idler pulley bearing underneath the alternator in the bracket.

[RF Overlord]

I'll double check but the belt is still fine.So was The Blackbird's until Mary was on her way home one day and heard a flapping noise that stopped shortly after it started. When she went to move the car the next day, the battery light was on. What I found wasn't pretty. The belt was about half it's normal width and was broken and jammed up in the FEAD. I thought the belt had simply come apart until I removed the alternator to change it and discovered the destroyed idler pulley. When I put on the replacement from Trilogy, the "roaring" noise that I had assumed was the alternator bearings was gone.

[Bradley G]

I put my new scope on the idler(s), and no noise.
The source of the noise is coming from the alternator.

[BODYMAN]

+1 on checking the idler pulley bearing underneath the alternator in the bracket.

Had the same problem on my KB at 22,500 miles

[greggash]

My alternator started to seize up and chew the belt.

I got a replacement from ford (a rebuilt unit)
within a week the bearings were shot, sounded like a freight train.

Second replacement, after a quick run the alternator pulley disconnected from the shaft and almost dug a hole in the cross over tube, the tube held the pulley in place till I got home.

The third replacement was the charm, runs quiet...

But what a hassle to get a good replacement part from ford

[Bradley G]

I ordered a Ford reman, I think I'll keep my core and have it rebuilt for a spare.
It charges fine, it just has a bearing noise.
I had two instances when I shorted the alternator wire to the block.
I'm sure that did not help the life of the alternator.

[jdando]

I am on my third alternator :(

I also get a howling sound when it is cold (20F and below) during start up :(

Bradley, what is the trick to changing out the clutched pulley? I always have a difficult time getting the nut loosened up.

[Bradley G]

Jeremy, If I can find the little tool to get the pulley swapped, I'll use an impact driver.

[Bradley G]

Today is the day, it's getting really loud.

[justbob]

It sounded like you had a blower! Oh yeah you do!:D Before my triligy, at night with accessories on and radio blaring the alt guage would drop and headlights slowly darken. Just putting in neutral helped her out. Now everythings fine?

[Bradley G]

Oh, I missed the Pulley under the alternator! RF , that was it too!
So I guess it's time to get my favorite Marauder Brother to help me out.

[RoyLPita]

Oh, I missed the Pulley under the alternator! RF , that was it too!
So I guess it's time to get my favorite Marauder Brother to help me out.

I knew it.......

[Bradley G]

Well in my defense, the alternator is toast too!:P
I quit looking for the noise when the alternator was clanking.
I knew it.......

[RoyLPita]

The one that I worked on, we changed both because the alternator chirped when turned.

[Bradley G]

Hope to have her back on the road later today.