Dave,

The alternator on my '87 westy started making noise last year, we noticed
the mounting bracket was lose and tightened it up. That got rid of the
sound but two weeks later the alternator shorted out and caused an engine
fire. Thankfully nobody was hurt and the fire was contained before
consuming the van but I'm bringing this up to say I would just replace the
alternator.

That's my 2 cents, colored by a trauma.

Jared
On Tue, Oct 30, 2018 at 13:21 T Collins <tonycollin@gmail.com> wrote:

> Dave,
>
> You can replace just the fan portion of the alternator. Take the alternator
> out and keep the shaft from turning by jaminng a screwdriver in the
> remainder of the fan while having a bolt and nut on one of the eyelets of
> the alternator. Use an impact wrench to loosen the big nut. Do remember to
> check for any crazy shaft play (wonder if that will make past the censors?)
> before loosening the big nut.  Not sure what would have caused your
> failure. This is just a guess but maybe the vibration is actually the
> uneven rotational mass of the alternator.
>
> I hope that helps,
> T.
>
> On Tuesday, October 30, 2018, David Boan <dboan@outlook.com> wrote:
>
> > I have a question about alternator repair.  A noise, like a vibration,
> > started suddenly while driving.  On inspection I found that about 1/3 of
> > the alternator fan had broken off and embedded itself in the engine cover
> > (also making about a 1/2" hole in the cover).  My question is what might
> be
> > the underlying cause, perhaps the end bearing?  Or just a metal failure?
> > The alternator, which is Bosch and about 8 years old, seems to be
> charging
> > fine but the vibration noise is still there.  Just replace the whole
> thing?
> >
> >
> > Dave B.
> >
> > Boise, ID
> >
>