'04 V70 sliding pulley on alternator, broken belt

Faust · Post by **Faust** » 11 Jul 2016, 09:50

Last night my serpentine belt broke on my '04 V70 N/A. Looking it over this morning I notice that the alternator pulley slides on it's shaft. Regardless of this, turning the pulley seems to turn the alternator. I attributed the broken belt to this. Is the sliding pulley normal? I thought it might be to accommodate movement in the belt. I notice that all replacement alternators on the web come with the pulley, so I assumed press fit. If this is not normal, is there a repair, or am I in for a new alternator?

Post by **abscate** » 11 Jul 2016, 11:05

I believe P2s started getting free wheeling pulleys on the alternator. Thats not a lifestyle choice, it means the pulley will rotate one way on the alternator when the engine is overdriving the car, or the other way around.

Faust · Post by **Faust** » 11 Jul 2016, 12:02

So, the pulley sliding on it's shaft is normal; and not cause for the belt breaking?

Faust · Post by **Faust** » 11 Jul 2016, 12:27

I looked at it again in response to the first reply. Saying that the pulley "slides on it's shaft" is not correct. What does appear to be the case is that the outer ring of the pulley has separated from it's "core". So, when pressure is applied to the pulley, the core remains in place on the shaft but the outer ring moves toward the alternator. Movement is approximately .36 to .50 of an inch. Is that normal?

Post by **oragex** » 11 Jul 2016, 14:44

Not normal, there is no lateral such play. You can get the clutch style pulley replaced, but check first only the pulley is damaged and the shaft is good.

If you have over 140K miles, the brushes are also worn. Used alternator is under $100 of Ebay 2004-2007 should be working but check amps first to match, worth getting a used but original unit with less than 100K miles. Keep your regulator for spare (a few screws to remove)

Also check the A/C pulley is smooth without noise.

Faust · Post by **Faust** » 11 Jul 2016, 18:36

I just checked my local Advance Auto the pulley runs about $145 (various manufacturers at somewhat lower prices). This does not seem like a close second to a rebuilt alternator (with pulley) for around $200. Still, my local Pick n' Pull (4 miles) has a used alternator at $30.00. Unless mileage on that car is excessive, I think that wins. My car is approaching 200K and my future ownership is cloudy.

Post by **oragex** » 11 Jul 2016, 20:05

$140 is expensive plus it takes a tool to replace the pulley, this INA pulley being cheaper (INA is a good bet) http://www.ebay.com/itm/INA-Freewheel-C ... 6~&vxp=mtr

As said, rebuild alternators are what they are. No one knows what quality the shaft bearings are (china and bearing is not a happy association). Save your regulator and brushes in any case, these brushes are hard and expensive to get while aftermarket regulators don't have a good reputation in this car which is sensitive when it comes to electrical power.

Faust · Post by **Faust** » 14 Jul 2016, 19:21

I took the crowd's advice and picked up a used alternator at my local Pick n Pull. I noticed that all were gone except one remaining in a '04 T6. All of the plumbing (and the flange on the crank pulley) on the T6 made removal tougher than installation.

Post by **oragex** » 14 Jul 2016, 19:44

S80 engine bay is rather cramped, good find

Faust · Post by **Faust** » 14 Jul 2016, 21:19

" S80 engine bay is rather cramped, good find"

Sure is cramped. I was going to take the serpentine belt to keep as a spare. I think it had "taken a shape" and I couldn't get it off the flanged crank pulley. A thunderstorm killed initiative. Incidentally, I had to replace the tensioner pulley, it was destroyed. I understand from the forum that when the alternator pulley fails it sets up a vibration which destroys the tensioner pulley. Mine was beaten down to about 1/3 the original diameter.