If you can make the fan wobble side to side, then most likely the rear
bearing is shot or the nylon insert has melted and failed. If bad
enough, the rotor will hit the stator and due some damage. The miss
alignment will reduce alternator efficiency and might even induce some
whine. The real issue though is that catastrophic failure will occur at
some point. When it occurs, the alternator belt will self destruct or at
least fly off leaving the water pump inoperative. By the time you see
the light, the engine will overheat, without this showing on the gauge
(no water pump = no water-flow = gauge does not move until steam blows
out the coolant). So the money saved on that rebuilt alternator can be
used towards the tow truck and you may then get to install that engine
conversion.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Jeff Oxroad
Sent: Thursday, March 23, 2006 12:14 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Alternator: the play is thing

How much play is acceptable in the Alternator bearing? I'm guessing the
answer is none.

But I don't want to replace the Alt. prematurely as it's functioning
fine.  I
just had the fan belt off and found the play is slight, but noticeable.
It
is not enough to interfere with the functioning of the alternator
cooling
fan--because then even I could figure out it's time to replace.

Thanks,
Jeff
83.5 Westy
LA,CA