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Subject:Re: Alternator Brushes Wore Out Pretty Darn Quick
From:Tom Buese
Date:Mon, 22 Aug 2011 17:42:02 -0600

Hmmm, sounds like a new rebuilt spare alternator needs to be added to my spare parts stash to compliment the water pump?

YMMV,

Mr. BZ-or just install prophylatically?

On Aug 22, 2011, at 5:14 PM, Rocket J Squirrel wrote:

> Thanks, Mark.
> 
> I'm seeing "AL33X" (Van-Cafe, $115 + $73 core) or "025903023EX"
> (Busdepot, same pricing).
> 
> Both are described a "genuine Bosch Rebuilt units." This pretty much
> what you're recommending?
> 
> --
> Jack "Rocket j Squirrel" Elliott
> Bend, Ore.
> 1984 Westfalia. A poor but proud people.
> 1971 "Ladybug"-brand utility trailer ca. 1972 from a defunct company in
> San Clemente, Calif., now repurposed as The Westrailia.
> 
> Sent from my kitchen.
> 
> On 08/22/2011 04:03 PM, mark drillock wrote:
>> In general, I have had the best experiences with Bosch parts sold as
>> "Genuine Rebuilt" and in Bosch boxes. The option of the FLAPS gimmick of
>> "lifetime warranty" units is to be avoided unless you will enjoy taking
>> the part on and off frequently, sometimes at the side of the road. Yeah,
>> they will replace it for free, again and again and again, if you can get
>> it to them with your dead van. There is also the possibility of getting
>> a local "auto electric" repair shop to "rebuild" it and some are Bosch
>> certified shops. I have had bad luck trying that. Both times they looked
>> up the list price of the alternator from Bosch and based their rebuild
>> prices on that inflated figure. Speaking of inflated, a relative just
>> priced a 90 amp at a VW dealer and was quoted nearly $600 for the part.
>> Since he is in the repair biz they then offered a special discount to
>> just over $400.
>> 
>> Various list venders and friendly places sell the genuine Bosch Rebuilt
>> units for about $125 exchange.
>> 
>> Mark
>> 
>> Rocket J Squirrel wrote:
>>> ...........
>>> 
>>> ALL: Recommendations on how to deal with an alternator that maybe needs
>>> servicing? Who does such things? Take it to the FLAPS or do we have some
>>> special vendor here whose rebuilt Bosch alternators are better than gold?
>>> 
>>>