300 Tdi Disco Alternator ???

OK, swapped the drive belt today as old one was both noisy and had loads of cracks in it ... though to be fair it was four years old ...

When re-starting I still had a lot of noise which eventually traced to waterpump/alternator, couldn't quite decide which so took belt off again and found it to be alternator. Pulley can move about 1/4 inch in any direction, so I guess a bearing, or three, are fscked. So the question ...

Can I replace bearings in a Disco alternator myself? Anyone done it and know what's involved, and what size bearings to get? I could take the alternator off and have a look-see, but I don't have time right now.

I've no worries on the alternator itself, stood not running there's 12.45 v at the battery, ticking over I'm getting 13.87 v so I'm sure it's working, I'm just not sure how long it'll last now ...

which alternator is it?Lucas or moto-matt.?Bear in mind you can get new ones for £80 ish,ebay or magazine ad......for some reason some relatively small and common bearings can be very expensive....or sometimes not (???)

obviously you're sure its the shaft thats loose not the pulley,I had a pulley come off the shaft on a 300 with spectacular results

not very helpful,I know,but I will go out and look at the ones I got,the haynes auto electrical manual aint saying much....anyone else?

shocker said:

which alternator is it?Lucas or moto-matt.?Bear in mind you can get new ones for £80 ish,ebay or magazine ad......for some reason some relatively small and common bearings can be very expensive....or sometimes not (???)

obviously you're sure its the shaft thats loose not the pulley,I had a pulley come off the shaft on a 300 with spectacular results

not very helpful,I know,but I will go out and look at the ones I got,the haynes auto electrical manual aint saying much....anyone else?

Click to expand...

Dunno the make, I guess I'll go check ... definitely shaft. Pulleys tight as a tight thing ... and yup, I've also looked in Haynes BOL and on Rave but can't find owt. I think they just want you to replace the whole things .. which I'd rather not do ...

Can't see a makers mark on it at all, does anyone know what I need to look for, what can tell me the difference? Is there any difference?

Hang your nose over this Paul... Not sure if its the one youve got or if the post is any good though??? Reconditioning a magnetti marinelli A127 Alternator - LR4x4 - The Land Rover Forum

Thanks, that's a great link ... Seems a tad more complicated than I first thought but certainly do-able and gives me a bit of hope.

Think my alternator is different thobut ... Have to whip it off and see.

they are both A127 type,the magnetti (I always get confused and and think of it as moto matterreli) and the lucas really only differ in the case and are interchangable (until someone tells me different!) and there are different amp ratings available.
The matterelli (sp?) has got a more rounded case with lots of air slots,the lucas looks like the standard old ford etc one,cylinder with flat ends

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Discovery-300tdi-Alternator-BRAND-NEW_W0QQitemZ120142706649QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item120142706649&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1301|66%3A4|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318
thats the moto/matar/magnetti one

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Discovery-300tdi-Alternator-BRAND-NEW_W0QQitemZ120142706649QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item120142706649&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1301|66%3A4|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318

and thats a more lucas looking variant.
You could try calling your local lucas agent or auto electrician and see what they quote for the job,then ask for the price of the bearings and try and get the part number out of them and call a local bearing factor.On the face of it the lucas/flat end type looks easier ,but I never done one......you may need a small puller,or just lever it out.The replacements may go in with a vice and a socket as a press,or a bit of pipe if there is a bearing way down the shaft.
Sorry for using ebay ads for the pic links,they were the easiest available and I have no connection to the sellers,they are for identification/reference only.
Now I will go to the workshop and look at the real thing

sorry,those links didnt come out,I'll try something else

Replacing a 300TDI Disco Alternator - LR4x4 - The Land Rover Forum

thats a bit better,its a matta-thingy in these

Land Rover Owner :: View topic - Where can I get 300tdi alternator bearings?

and this is about replacing bearings on the lucas one

Heh, thanks. Have to do something about it tomorrow, just going into hospital to have a broken tooth cut out of my gum (Not looking forward to it) so using the wife's Micra for now ...

Good links, much appreciated. Of course, I'll let you know how I get on with the alternator and post pics as and when I can.
Cheers

And all the best at the hospital Paul don't envy you,

I just changed my alternetor (Not Lucas) and in my opinion I would not have messed about with bearings if the rest of the alternator was high milage, I think the new one only cost £80 ish

Regards PeteC