So the title pretty much says it - my alternator howls quite loudly for about the first three minutes of running, then quiets down to a normal noise level. No, it's not the fan, I know the fan noise.

I'm thinking the bearings are ready to go, and am wondering if there is a rebuild kit available so I can do a preemptive strike before it grenades completely.

Any thoughts?

 

Not sure about a kit, but a local guy here rebuilt the one on my 99. Cost me 100 bucks even, including taking it off and reinstalling it. So, you can get them rebuilt.

 

when i bought my truck the bearing had literally split in half, and a local guy was able to rebuild it for 100, so it can be done, i just recommend doing it before it gets to that point haha.

 

Sooner the better.

 

I would rather have mine rebuilt by a local shop then get a rebuilt that are rarely built correctly.

 

I replaced my alternator with one from a Jetta VR6. I spent less than two hours doing the full job. I posted the instructions in how to do it in this forum.

Check that, because the Bosch alternator is less than 100 bucks and you can find some of them with 150 A output. Also, if something goes wrong with the bosch alternator it is very easy to find spares and to replace it.

I replaced 2 alternators and fixed 2 of them before deciding to do the conversion. You are starting with the same problems I had.

Here is the thread:
https://landroverforums.com/forum/sh...ternator+jetta

Good luck!