Thoughts on Remanufactured Alternators?

[HappyHooligan]

so i'm shopping around for a new alternator as mine died, and all I really see are remanufactured ones. They say the warranty is as long as I own the truck but it's not new from Denso. What do you all think and what is your experience with this?

 

[Tinigunner11]

so i'm shopping around for a new alternator as mine died, and all I really see are remanufactured ones. They say the warranty is as long as I own the truck but it's not new from Denso. What do you all think and what is your experience with this?

Personally I’d stay away from then. They seem to not send voltage correctly in our trucks and fail more often. My dad’s alternator died in his 01 at 325,000 we used this part number at oriellys auto https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...-ignition-alternator-brush-set/320123/4580697 for $5 and the alternator as good is new! He’s put almost 10k miles on it since we rebuilt it. Don’t waste your money on buying a new one.

Here is the link we followed to rebuild it:
Shawnville | Tacoma Alternator Rebuild

 

[thegipper]

so i'm shopping around for a new alternator as mine died, and all I really see are remanufactured ones. They say the warranty is as long as I own the truck but it's not new from Denso. What do you all think and what is your experience with this?

Avoid them like the plague. Same applies for starters on these trucks.

You are better off rebuilding your alternator/starter or finding an OEM Denso replacement.

 

[cleanrunner]

my original denso lasted a long good life.i purchased a Denso reman about 5 years ago. no issues what so ever. i would highly stress to not even consider the carquest remans or duralast Chinese remans from whatever auto parts store. they are complete crap

 

[HappyHooligan]

what about from Napa? they have a lifetime warranty? I don't know if I want to try rebuilding mine. I fear I'll screw it up.

and where can I find an original new Denso?

 

[TurtleAdventure]

I never buy rebuilt alternators or starters anymore. I did for years and had way to many fail. Even with warranties, not worth it.

o'reilly dicked me a few times. They gave me a couple that died after a couple months. Then tried to charge me for shipping in a new one even though it was under warranty because "They shouldn't break this soon"

 

[3bears]

check the how to video's . MTBTM did one on rebuilding your own. I did mine.
Rock Auto has reman denso stuff, that I might consider trying if I had to try.

We have a local shop that does alternators and starters, I would trust him more then most auto part stores, he did a starter for me on a bmw , about the same money, but used a lot of new parts that I bet the autoparts store suppliers look at and say... that part sgood enough, that bearing isn't makin noise yet...good enough.

On my chevys, fords and dodges, autozone and those guys were junk. They are counting on you not keeping your vehicle long. Aside from us 4runner owners, most people don't hold on to cars that long. Sure lifetime warranty, but I had one chevy truck that I did the durolast starter 3 times in 5 years.
I have not tried any of the big names on rebuilt stuff for my 4runner with one exception...went with reman calipers from napa when I did my tundra brake upgrade,

 

[mtbtim]

Before you buy one, you should check to see how worn your brushes are. Many times an alternator fails to charge effectively due to worn brushes. The video below will show you how to do it. So, maybe you can keep your high quality OEM Denso alternator. It could also be a failed regulator or rectifier. In the video description, there's a link to a thread that has other helpful info. Somebody sourced a rebuild kit that includes brushes and the regulator. Here's the link to that kit: https://www.amazon.com/Alternator-R...71RK&qid=1551108557&s=gateway&sr=8-1-fkmrnull Also in the video description I provide the Toyota OEM part number for replacement brushes.

If it's not the brushes, see how much it would cost to get a remanned Denso alternator. I wouldn't go with a remanned one from another manufacturer for the reasons others have already stated.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/71_kBhg6_-A" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Hepar]

I disagree about avoiding a reman alternator. Just avoid the auto parts store ones. I just replaced mine and bought it from Camelback Toyota. It is an OEM remanufactured alternator.

 

[HappyHooligan]

Mines not spinning and its squealing like a banshie, so I think the bearings are out on it too so it's a major rebuild. I need to get something today and I believe even the camelback is a remanufactured unit. No body in town rebuilds them and everyplace is a remanufactured unit.

 

[Ed_C]

I don't think you can even get brand-new alternators from Toyota anymore.

When I had to replace my 1st-gen Tundra's alternator Conicelli Toyota only had a listing for a reman in their online store, in fact I just checked and they only have a reman listed for a 3rd-gen. I bought a Denso-remanufactured alternator from Amazon, came out cheaper than Rock Auto (my usual source for parts).

 

[Jungoes]

Tim , Thanks for the Awesome Video
Do you plan on doing one showing how the Bearings are replaced?

 

[SilverRidgeRunner1]

Rock auto has denso remans 1999 TOYOTA 4RUNNER 3.4L V6 Alternator / Generator | RockAuto

 

[mtbtim]

Tim , Thanks for the Awesome Video
Do you plan on doing one showing how the Bearings are replaced?

No plans currently but maybe it will happen some day. If the OP lived near me, I'd be game to do it.

 

[thegipper]

A re-manufactured Denso alt should be fine, it's the reman'd auto parts store units that are all junk.

 

[nissanh]

You should be able to install bearings in an alternator. I believe those are the same as 6203 "please check the number" (that also goes into AC idler). Buy NSK, NTN, NACHI, SKF or TIMKEN bearing. Unbranded will last 10K miles or less.

Remove the pulley nut, four 8 mm long bolts and pull the front cover and armature. There should be two bearings at either end of the armature.

Get the OEM brush kit ($15ish) . Aftermarket brushes won't generate the proper voltage when fully loaded with accessories. Toyota products and quality control is amazing.

 

[HappyHooligan]

well I walked into Napa to pick up my Napa Alt and asked if they can get the Denso also and sure enough they could for an extra $65. I'm picking it up tomorrow. Peace of mind is worth $65 to me. thanks everyone. I might try rebuilding my old one too just to have a spare. It's less pressure to rebuild when you don't need it right away.

 

[josh3rd]

thanks for the heads up of not getting a reman but at least try to rebuild it

 

[Hepar]

thanks for the heads up of not getting a reman but at least try to rebuild it

Again, remans are fine. Just make sure it's a reman of an OEM alternator.

 

[cleanrunner]

let me clarify that you can "order" Denso from whatever parts store, just have to ask. Having worked for a Autoparts chain,anything with a lifetime warranty is almost guaranteed not to last. doesn't matter if its alternators,starters, chassis parts etc. Since Advance is in the Worldpac spectrum,you can almost certainly find the original OEM part,may not be available same day but you can get it.