RyCliff Posted May 20, 2017 Share Posted May 20, 2017 Afternoon All,I was out in the car last weekend and an awful grinding noise started emanating from the alternator. Having removed it there seems to be quite a bit of axial play at the pulley (1-2mm), it spins freely when pulled from the alternator body but grinds any other time. The alternator is a Brise unit, similar in appearance to the 5020 model on their website.I've now taken it apart and one of the brushes is shot as the rubber they are house in is baked. Think there may have been some overheating...Anyway, this has led to me wanting to replace with an original alternator as I do not track the car so can't see much benefit in having it. There are 2 questions from here though, first is are there any major mounting modifications I will need to make for this? Second, the car has a Cheesman 4-2-1 exhaust fitted as well as a tall tower that appears to be for engine oil (not sure of purpose) in the area of the alternator. Will post a picture later, but if anyone has similar mods could they advise if space is an issue for a regulator alternator.Sorry for the long post.ThanksRyan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted May 20, 2017 Member Share Posted May 20, 2017 How about getting it repaired? The electrical connections and mounting will be the same as at present, and it might be cheaper than a new one.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted May 20, 2017 Share Posted May 20, 2017 ...as well as a tall tower that appears to be for engine oil (not sure of purpose) in the area of the alternator.That sounds like an Apollo oil/air separator. Does it look like this?Can't help with the alt, I'm afraid, except to say that I'd be surprised if the standard item didn't fit.JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul McKenzie Posted May 20, 2017 Share Posted May 20, 2017 Most places won't bother to repair them nowadays, but will sell you a new (Chinese) one for £60... it'll do the job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyCliff Posted May 20, 2017 Author Share Posted May 20, 2017 Yep, definitely an Apollo air separator I have in there then. Not sure it will encroach itself on the area the alternator would sit in but there are some additional bits of kit around it that would make it tight to fit without breaking many fingers. I had issues with it last year and the bearings, brushes etc were all changed, not sure I want to go through the trouble of doing it again. Spotted that a Brise replacement is £240 ish, before their delivery fee which was quite expensive last year when I got the internals. May have to bite the bullet and replace with new, I already think I have someone interested in buying this burnt out one I have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB Posted May 20, 2017 Share Posted May 20, 2017 I'd ring Brise for a cost to rebuild it. Usually Brise are Considered an upgrade due to weight & quality. The older alternators for the earlier K series are heavy things. Ps you'll also need to change the plug for the alternator as they are different to the OEM one for our engines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyCliff Posted May 20, 2017 Author Share Posted May 20, 2017 Going to give Tim at Brise a call on Monday to discuss what options I have with them. By plug do you mean the ignition and live points? At the moment I just have a couple of spade connectors in there rather than the Brise plug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K7 VCT Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 Woodcote sports cars have a new item for sale on pistonheads parts for caterham, he has had it for sale for 6 months or more..... If it fits your make an offer.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyCliff Posted May 21, 2017 Author Share Posted May 21, 2017 Unfortunately looks to be a different mount on that one. Found a similar one elsewhere though, which will check with Brise to see if it's Caterham suitable. On a side, I've found out what the cause of the failure was. A nut I found on my drive turned out to be the pulley lock nut! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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