Thanks Al,

As it turns out by putting in the new voltage regulator at an angle and
working it in I was able to get it in without any other help. I had to push
the brushes agains the rotor at some point to push them in but I was
surprised at how easy it was. I first tightened the top screw by hand then
put the bottom screw in by hand then tightened the top with a screw driver
and tightened the bottom with the channel lock pliers.

William
1989 Vanagon GL
1988 Mercedes 300SE

> yep...old thread.  You can compress the brushes using old or new thread
and
> just tie em back while you replace the carrier.  Dont' forget to closely
> examine the rotor and to make sure it's clean and shiny where the brushes
> will touch.  Snip the thread and slip it out when you're done.
>
> cheers,
>
> pensioner