Alt. brushes making squeaking noise

[GNERGY]

My alt. is making a squeaking noise, I changed the bearings and it still made the noise. I took it apart again, and if I leave the paper clip in holding the brushes it is quiet. I sanded where the brushes contact the armature and it still made noise. I put a little dielectric grease where the brushes ride ant it was quiet for like 5 min. then noisy again.
Should I sand the brushes next?
The alt. was a new GM one the guy had just put on the truck before I bought it.
Tarey

 

[GNERGY]

I took it apart again today and sanded the brushes and tried it again. In a couple of minutes the SOB started squeaking again. Can I buy just the brushes for it before I smash this fker with a hammer. I did all this work to my truck and it is NOT going to squeak.
Tarey

 

[greg mgm]

What a bummer that you changed the bearings and still had the squeak...At least now you have spare bearings.

I would think brushes are still available for your alternator. 10 years ago I bought some from an auto parts store and replaced mine. Call around for Delco brushes....If nothing comes up locally try these guys-

https://www.brightauto.com/

They carry tons of Delco parts and have very good service.
Good luck losing the squeak !

 

[lectric80]

Brushes are readily available, but I would be looking at the armature contacting the coils. There really isn't anything that could cause the brushes to squeak as you are describing, at least that I have ever seen. I would be looking elsewhere, but the brushes are cheap, you just need to find an electrical shop and they can provide them for cheap. I don't think the parts stores carry just the brushes, but they do have rebuild kits that would include the brushes.

 

[dyeager535]

You can buy the "complete" rebuild kits for like $20 or less, last one I bought even came with a brush holder.

You can make it squeak off the vehicle, and with the brushes held back it doesn't make noise? Just making sure, as you may be deceiving yourself if the alternator stops squeaking because there is no load on it, if testing it while the engine is running with the brushes held back. Assuming you can even do that, which I assume you can.

 

[GNERGY]

I left the paper clip in that held the brushes up off the commutator, and it didn't squeak. Then shut it off and removed the paper clip and started the motor back up and it squeaked again. I called NAPA and ordered brushes, they were 4 bucks will be in tomorrow.
Tarey