alternator

when i spin my alternator it's kind of grindy feeling. should it be smooth and free feeling?

It should spin smoothly and quietly. If you think it's too noisy, the bushings/bearings need to be lubricated or replaced. To service them, the alternator must be disassembled. This can be a tricky job if you are not familiar with alternator service procedures. If you do decide to go ahead with it, for the amount of labor involved, you might as well replace the bearings/bushings. There are two of them, one behind the pulley in the front half of the housing, and one in the rear half of the housing. They are inexpensive and any good parts store will carry them. The other option is to replace the alternator.