Broke down...help! Alternator parts...

Topic: Broke down...help! Alternator parts... (Read 1285 times) previous topic - next topic

Broke down...help! Alternator parts...

August 02, 2021, 10:08:04 pm

I just installed a new alternator before we hit the road. Unfortunately something happened and the pulley started slipping. Not from the nut being loose but I think internally the bearing end play allowed it to slip. (nut was as tight as it gets). Anyways, I have a shelled out pulley and shot alternator broke down behind a gas station in Cody WY. I can get a new alternator tomorrow but what about the pulley? Anyone ever had to buy a new pulley? Do you think I will be able to find one?

I was not able to call the auto store back in time to ask. Everything closed.

Re: Broke down...help! Alternator parts...

Reply #1 – August 02, 2021, 10:14:37 pm

Weird.
Crazy you try to anticipate everything then curve balls get thrown at you

Re: Broke down...help! Alternator parts...

Reply #2 – August 02, 2021, 10:27:39 pm

Auto parts store should have pulleys, or check for any salvage yards in the area, they should be able to find a match to your old pulley.

Was the pulley tightened with an impact driver...hand tightening might not have been tight enough. Most auto parts stores will install a pulley with an impact driver for you or salvage yard will - once you find a replacement pulley.

Re: Broke down...help! Alternator parts...

Reply #3 – August 02, 2021, 10:31:08 pm

Cody should have an electric shop in town and they should be able to help you out. If not, I believe there is a Napa store on the main drag! Wish you the best! We are here in Yellowstone and we have a union shop at the bus barn here at Old Faithful and they might be able to get you going as well. They work on the 4 MCI buses and the Prevost buses, so possible have an alternator for you as well. I will ask in the morning when they open.

Re: Broke down...help! Alternator parts...

Reply #4 – August 02, 2021, 10:48:48 pm

Quote from: nbluesky – August 02, 2021, 10:08:04 pm

I just installed a new alternator before we hit the road.

I can get a new alternator tomorrow...

I don't know what make/model alternator you installed before you hit the road. If the replacement alternator you get tomorrow is a different make/model, be very careful with the electrical hookup.

Emergency alternator swaps done on the road often result in problems because they are not wired correctly, either by the coach owner or by the mechanic.

If you have a SENSE wire and/or a EXCITE wire on your broken alternator, be sure they are connected to the proper terminals on the emergency replacement unit.

Re: Broke down...help! Alternator parts...

Reply #5 – August 02, 2021, 11:03:48 pm

I have a bunch of places to start calling at 7am. The pully nut was as tight as it could get on the shaft. Had to impact it off, the pulley was sloppy worn and loose "behind" the nut and washer. It looks to me like the bearing in the shaft failed, it allowed the shaft to move out and create a gap between the bearing race washer and the pulley nut. So my pulley sat and destroyed itself.

I heard a slight noise this morning before we headed out. I checked all the tensioners etc. No oblivious play. By the time we made it to Cody at the end of the day when I pulled in for fuel the voltage meter was jumping from charge to no charge and when I got out it was making a terrible sound. I was able to pull around the building and tear it apart and figure all this out.

Good idea on the electric shop! I'll look. I am well aware of the alt swap and wiring issues. I installed a 28Si delco remy style alt. I also installed a Victron isolator and wired it for sense and excite. I will be good on a swap. Maybe I should just try to find a smaller alt with the j180 hinge and get us through the rest of the trip on 120 amp or whatever I can find. The pully is going to be the hard part I think.

The worst part is I brought my OE Powerline alt into the electric shop and they were so busy I could not bring it as a spare before we left...I knew I should not have left without it!

Re: Broke down...help! Alternator parts...

Reply #6 – August 02, 2021, 11:16:13 pm

Think I would own a idler puller to swap out alternator. Wonder if you could just eliminate it altogether with a shorter belt. I like options

Re: Broke down...help! Alternator parts...

Reply #7 – August 02, 2021, 11:59:53 pm

Unless your alternator belt goes includes your water pump, you should be able to drive with your generator running and the boost switch on. Ours has a dedicated belt for the alternator but I don't know about yours.

Pierce

Re: Broke down...help! Alternator parts...

Reply #8 – August 03, 2021, 12:03:15 am

The 8.3 Cummins you need the belt for the water pump not like the M11

Re: Broke down...help! Alternator parts...

Reply #9 – August 03, 2021, 12:13:52 am

I found this Delco tech tip, they talk about a special way the spacer washer and "slinger" washer must be installed - fyi

Tech Tip: Pulley Installation on Delco Remy 24SI or 28SI | Delco Remy

Re: Broke down...help! Alternator parts...

Reply #10 – August 03, 2021, 01:48:01 am

Quote from: oldguy – August 03, 2021, 12:03:15 am

The 8.3 Cummins you need the belt for the water pump not like the M11

Yes I was kinda thinking that was bragging bringing that up. No belts required to drive home.

But I do have a cam shaft gear to replace on the trailered toad. so I better shut up .
Scott

Re: Broke down...help! Alternator parts...

Reply #11 – August 03, 2021, 01:53:05 am

There are two different methods to tighten the pulley nut.

#1: Using pass-through socket 15/16, secure the pulley nut so it doesn't move. Using a torque wrench with a 5/16 hex head socket placed in the hexagonal hole at the end of the rotor shaft, tighten the rotor shaft counterclockwise to 95-108 N-m (70-80 lb. ft.).

#2: Hold the shaft by placing a 5/16 hex wrench in the hexagonal hole at the end of the rotor shaft. Use a clicktype torque wrench with an open-ended 15/16 wrench attached. Tighten the pulley nut to 95-108 N-m (70-80 lb. ft.).

Re: Broke down...help! Alternator parts...

Reply #12 – August 03, 2021, 07:34:51 am

Not sure on 1995 but if you have the serpentine belt might look into getting a new idler pulley tightener.

Re: Broke down...help! Alternator parts...

Reply #13 – August 03, 2021, 08:12:55 am

I just replaced my pulley I installed a new alternator and the pulley did the same thing I had to find a place that repair alternator and starter they had three in stock cost me $50 he said they keep them in stock to install them on commercial fishing boats he told me there were two sizes of shafts if you can find a place if they don't have it in stock I'm sure they can get one overnight I just checked on my bills there was no part number Google alternator or starter repair shop in your area the guy a the repair shop told me to put it on with a IMPAC so I had to buy another alternator I bought it from him and he put it on with an IMPAC

Re: Broke down...help! Alternator parts...

Reply #14 – August 03, 2021, 08:19:18 am

Just so we know,what alternator was on the coach and what did you replace it with and where did you get it,may help for future questions.

Re: Broke down...help! Alternator parts...

Reply #15 – August 03, 2021, 09:24:55 am

So you need a replacement Leece Neville 160 amp for the coach? Will see if they have one here and figure a way to get it too you!
You may call me at 863-532-1139, as I am off today and available!

Re: Broke down...help! Alternator parts...

Reply #16 – August 03, 2021, 09:33:59 am

Quote from: turbojack – August 03, 2021, 07:34:51 am

Not sure on 1995 but if you have the serpentine belt might look into getting a new idler pulley tightener.

Is it possible the idler was hitting against the pulley to cause your grief?

Re: Broke down...help! Alternator parts...

Reply #17 – August 03, 2021, 11:57:29 am

Tried calling and it was busy, will call again Joe. Thanks!

No contact with pulley Twig.

This pulley is turning out to be the big hang up. Can not find one anywhere! Have an alternator on the way from Billings this afternoon. Found a machine shop that thinks they can fill/bore or sleeve the existing pulley. I need the specs for the holes and height of before it was destroyed. Anyone have a cummins 8.3 alt pulley laying around they can measure?

Re: Broke down...help! Alternator parts...

Reply #18 – August 03, 2021, 12:07:42 pm

Will try and find my old one,will go look now.Checked,don't have.

Re: Broke down...help! Alternator parts...

Reply #19 – August 03, 2021, 12:24:36 pm

Call Quality Power,909-794-1600,they have your pulley.They will want the number of ribs on yours.

Re: Broke down...help! Alternator parts...

Reply #20 – August 03, 2021, 12:32:58 pm

Ribbed (serpentine belt) pulleys

McMaster-Carr

Re: Broke down...help! Alternator parts...

Reply #21 – August 03, 2021, 01:31:28 pm

is this it?

Re: Broke down...help! Alternator parts...

Reply #22 – August 03, 2021, 01:57:55 pm

Quote from: Phranko – August 03, 2021, 01:31:28 pm

is this it?

Looks like the one, any chance you can measure all the dimensions with a caliper?

Re: Broke down...help! Alternator parts...

Reply #23 – August 03, 2021, 02:01:18 pm

Quote from: John44 – August 03, 2021, 12:24:36 pm

Call Quality Power,909-794-1600,they have your pulley.They will want the number of ribs on yours.

Yeah I can find them in various parts of the country. Problem is finding one that is close by. I found a repair shop 7 miles away (I rode my bike, no toad) and they are having some shipped from nearby another shop. I hopefully will be back on the road tomorrow morning.

Worse case they have a full machine shop and will fix mine. Was hoping to be on the road today but tomorrow will work too.

Re: Broke down...help! Alternator parts...

Reply #24 – August 03, 2021, 02:06:31 pm

If you need photos of the pulley, the thread linked below has several pics of my 28Si with pulley installed:

Delco Remy 28SI Alternator Installation

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