2002 V70 - what mileage do Bosch alternators tend to fail?

Post by **ljsommar** » 13 Jul 2015, 14:07

At what mileage do Bosch alternator brushes tend to wear down to their limit?
I currently have 165K miles on vehicle and think it might be ready for a preventative overhaul.
On another vehicle I own the brushes wore down too far, cutting into the slip rings/shaft and ruining the alternator.
I have little confidence in "remanufactured" units and OEM are rather pricy.
Has anyone else done this? I was thinking of replacing the regulator with brushes, bearings, and slip rings. Anything else I should do? Any tips or pitfalls?

Post by **JBC2565** » 13 Jul 2015, 14:30

I changed mine at 130,000. Alternator wasn't bad but I had bad bearings in the free wheel pulley. Figured I change the whole thing instead of just the bearings because it was 14 years old.

Post by **ljsommar** » 13 Jul 2015, 14:38

What did you replace it with, new or remanufactured? At what cost and how long has it lasted?

Post by **GBS** » 13 Jul 2015, 14:47

I replaced my voltage regulator on my alternator at around 185k. I first bought a "new", which I suspect was reman, from local auto parts place. The computer didn't like it and rejected with a message saying "charging error".

Replaced the regulator on the original, swapped out again and charging was back to normal. I'd do this as preventative only if I have that part of the engine opened up for something else OR if I'm having charging problems. If you have the fan out and perhaps aux belt off its just a few more steps. This is what I bought, I might get the part and have it on hand just in case:
https://www.ipdusa.com/products/7297/11 ... -regulator

I just did regulator, bearings and such still running at 195k, no idea how long they last but hope I get some warning before they go.

Post by **ljsommar** » 13 Jul 2015, 14:51

Post by **ljsommar** » 13 Jul 2015, 14:53

How much of the brushes were left and what did the slip rings look like? Thanks for the reply.

Post by **GBS** » 13 Jul 2015, 16:10

Not sure what the slip ring is, but if its that half ring thing it was AOK. The brushes were very short though, I'd say 1/4 or less of the length of new replacement (clear difference). One of the brushes from the old was shorter than the other, which seemed odd. I had difficulties charging in this car and knew the alternator was going, I'm not sure I'd do it as preventative but definitely not a bad part to have for the day the alternator needs it or you're in there. Waiting for parts is my least favorite part of working on my car.

Post by **JBC2565** » 13 Jul 2015, 17:26

ljsommar wrote:What did you replace it with, new or remanufactured? At what cost and how long has it lasted?

I bought a remanufactured one from Eeuroparts.com Bosch 120A SKU #AL0805X for $122. Free shipping on $99 and over. ($199 and $77 core).
I've only had it in for 3,000 miles.

Driven · Post by **Driven** » 19 Jul 2015, 06:49

My 07 2.5t v70 has 240,000 miles on original alternator seems just fine

Post by **abscate** » 23 Jul 2015, 02:59

I've got a growler in my 1999 with 170000 miles on it.