DIY - Alternator Brush Replacement
Disclaimer: The following is provided as a GUIDE ONLY, and neither myself nor Ozhonda take any responsibility for the outcomes of someone else doing the following. You follow these steps at your own risk!
Aim: Replace Alternator Brushes
Required: Tools :p (forgot what size)
Steps: Not too much
Other comments: The alternator I'm using in the pictures came from my Honda CRX '89
Firstly give it a really good clean. I did, just for the heck of it.
As you can see below, my fingers are pointing to where some screws are, which I've taken off already.
http://users.tpg.com.au/spor/pics/backcover.jpg
Once the screws are taken off, you should just be able to pop off the back cover
http://users.tpg.com.au/spor/pics/backoff.jpg
As you can see, there's this orange thing. This is the brush holder. It's outside is made out of rubber and it can rip.. which it did..
In the pic also, there are two screws which are holding the brush holder down. unscrew those.
http://users.tpg.com.au/spor/pics/brushholder.jpg
This is what it looked like when I took the holder off.
http://users.tpg.com.au/spor/pics/holderoff.jpg
Inside the brush holder are the brushes! As you can see, mine are farked :)
http://users.tpg.com.au/spor/pics/holder.jpg
Now from this point you have two options.
1. You can order the brushes alone from Honda and solder them in the your current brush holder OR
2. Buy a set of brush in the holder already from Honda (recommended) :)
If you want to solder the brushes off and put new ones in yourself, follow this:
You would require a soldering iron, solder, damp cloth (to clean the soldering iron tip) and steady wank hands and the skinny tip pliers.
Solder the back of the holder then the current brushes might just shoot out. This is because there's a spring inside the holder that pushes the brush against the rotor thing.
http://users.tpg.com.au/spor/pics/solderbrush.jpg
Another thing to add, if you like, you can also replace the voltage regulator. You can see the voltage regulator in picture #4. It's the thing that looks like a plate with the 3 bolts going through it.
Once done, fitting is reversal to removal. Ta da! All done :)
p.s. Don't have part numbers cause I lost 'em
Cheers,
Sid
