Alternator recommendations

[Jabba]

Good Morning all,

I'm wondering which make of alternator you would recommend. I bought a 55amp alternator from Wards over a year ago and have only just fitted it a couple of days ago. When starting the engine it was quiet but I noticed that the ignition light was still on, so I blipped the throttle, the light extinguished but there was a loud whining noise from the alternator area (fitted to LH head). Using a mechanics stethoscope I can hear the bearings and they sound rough and of course they are sound louder as it is bolted to the head. Removing it fromthe car, if I spin the pulley it squeaks and I can feel the bearings are shot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRrC1NnxHTI

I've been looking around and found that some people have fitted WOSP alternators, I'm just wondering if they are worth that amount of money ?

Kind Regards

Craig

[DJT]

I have not bought from here as, at present, I do not need a new alternator. But I would consider it due to their honesty in the description.

https://www.autoelectricsupplies.co.uk/product/908

I have bought cheap 50 quid alternators before and they have failed just outside warranty. The one I have now was one of those, but has been fine for 3 years since I replaced the regulator and rectifier myself.

[Lingen]

Craig.
It may be over a year old, so presumably out of warranty, but if the bearings are that noisy I think Wards should replace it. It must be pretty obvious from its condition that it has never been used.
Mike.

[Jabba]

Thanks for your replies guys. Yes Mike, it looks brand new, as you have said. I'll email Wards to advise them and see what they come back with.

[Lingen]

Craig.
Let us know!!
Mike.

[flying farmer]

I have bought some of these cheap imitation lucas alternators in the past.
Some have been duds from new, one had noisy bearings and a pulley drilled off centre, its replacement had an armature that was catching the casing. Fortunately the replacement turned up before I sent the first one back and I was able to build a good one from the two before sending the sorry specimen that remained back to the suppliers.

Would I buy another cheap one? No chance, I have had several more fail just outside warranty.

[Jabba]

So,.would you recommend a WOSP alternator ?

[jbuckl]

Make sure the battery earth is 100% to the engine first.
If there’s any resistance, the alternator could be noisey…. Aka trying to do its job, but can’t.
Recently, another members cars alternator was squealing because the engine earth was very poor.

[Jabba]

Hi Julian, thanks. perhaps I should run an earth from the alternator to the earth point on the N/S inner wing, belt and braces. But regards to the Wards alternator, the bearings are definitely on their way out.