Need to replace bearing in alternator

This is my first time to pull apart an alternator. I have a '91 Escort Pony 1.9L and it's been squealing every day that it rains.

They told me at the part's store, that I can replace it easily, and another parts store told me that I can't replace it, but need to buy a new alternator.

Any tips, pointers, or advise before I do this? I have the front bearing, and he said the back one was a little more difficult because it was a pin-type bearing.

Thanks! :biggrin:

Unless you have the special tools to rebuild the alternator you cant. The tools cost almost as much as the alternator and after you're done there's no warranty. Buy a rebuilt alternator and save yourself some headaches.

I have the same situation. I have a 91 Escort LX, and wanted to replace the two bearings. The alternator was probably already a replacement, as the car has 187k miles on it and the alternator was still spinning silently. We take long drives, and I didnt want the thing failing in the middle of a trip. Rather than spend over $100 that I didnt have I chose to 'fix' if I could.
On mine the two bearings were both roller bearings, the one at the back end just being smaller; and I had to take it with me to the bearing retailer, so he could match it. The number on it didnt cross to anything in his listings. The front bearing was easily available based on its number.
I still dont have the front bearing off, since I need to press the shaft out of it, and somehow hold the front half of the alternator case evenly due the 'push'. I dont have a press, figured on having the alternator sitting on a support below the frame of my motorhome, and using a bottle jack between the end of the alternator shaft and the frame rail.
I got the alternator apart, but decided to unsolder the diode assembly from the stator coils to separate the parts of the case. Now I wish I had tried to wiggle the stator coils out still attached to the diode assembly, but resoldering wont be a big deal.
I got the rear bearing off with my small 3 legged puller, using a tiny 1/4" drive socket to push on the end of the alt. shaft while the puller's leg pulled the bearing off.
I will let you if it comes out of the case, or if the case cracks/bends.

For some reason, the alternators on the 1.8L engines is considered easily rebuildable, and the alt. on the 1.9l is not.

Success! I got the shaft of the alternator out of the front bearing, & now I can install the new front bearing into the case, press the shaft (and field coil and commutator) back into that front bearing, tap the rear bearing on, and reassemble the alternator.
To get the shaft backed out of the front bearing, I took an old motorhome wheel (8 bolt Budd 16") whose 'hub' hole was about 1/4 smaller in diameter than the front half of the case of the alt, and laid it flat on the ground - with the alternator sitting centered atop the wheel. Then I ran the nut back onto the shaft (had already removed the pulley) till it was even with the end of the threaded shaft, and smacked it with a sledge hammer. I didnt have to hit very hard, and the shaft moved down to where the nut was still holding it up in the bearing. With the nut off, a medium tap with a clawhammer knocked the shaft out of the front bearing. Undoing three little 8mm bolts and the front bearing fell out of the front half of the case.

You need to be careful where you put pressure on the bearings, you need to only put pressure on the inside hub or damage can occur to the new bearing. Certain bearings can be put on by heating them with a torch but not the sealed types.
Hope it works out for you.