Alternator chirping could either be the belt slipping, or if it is a metallic chirp, the rear bearing or bushing has failed and the rotor is hitting the stator. Usually, worn brushes also mean worn slip rings on the rotor and the bearings are almost gone also. Brushes may buy some time but a rebuild is in order. Some after market brushes or brush-regulator combos have very soft brushes that will wear quickly. Just had a set in FUN BUS that wore at in a little over a year. Amazing how the original alternator went over 130K and I've dealt with replacing or servicing the replacements 3 times since.

Dennis

----- Original Message -----
From: roger sisler <rogersisler2000@YAHOO.COM>
Date: Thursday, September 29, 2005 11:02 am
Subject: Do the voltage regulater brushes "chrip"like a bird when they get short?

> I am getting this  intermittant chirping , ecpecially when cold.
> At first I thought it was wheel bearings in the rear. Then I
> figured it was my new (10 hours to replace) water pump  about to
> go south. Finally I snuck up on this noise this morning and
> discovered not a nest  of little birds, but a bird like sound
> coming from the rear of the alt.  There is this  bird like
> chirping coming from the rear of the altenator though. The voltage
> at my new auxillery battery is 13.25 V. I think it is suposed ot
> be about 13.5 , or 14 volts. Could this be the end for the
> brushes? I see that the voltage regulater is ez to remove. Can
> this be done with the altenator still installed?I see that vendors
> sell new brushes forabout $3. the Bentley says that these can be
> resoldered on. Is this a good way to go?
>
>
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