MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21656
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Out and About
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Mood: It's a Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day
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Baja Trucking and DODGing a Bullet
Well actually a Pebble, but it was lucky, nonetheless.
Deciding I'd pushed my luck for far too many miles, I pulled the Alternator from my '01 Dodge for a "preventative" overhaul. What struck me
immediately was the pebble lodged towards the top in the space between two cooling fins which hadn't been there prior to the last trip back on the
detours between San Felipe and Mexicali. The "rock" had obviously come up from the road, bounced off the hood and caught there. What "struck" me was
that the fit was so close that a little more velocity would have sent it straight into the works creating a LOT of chaos.
As they say, It's the Little things. And, while it's good to be good, it's also good to be lucky
Speaking of a close fit, once everything was disconnected, I found that the alternator wouldn't come clear. Air conditioning hoses over the top and
just slightly too little clearance to the plastic Fan shroud. I considered loosening the shroud, BUT the amount of space needed was so little that I
first unbolted the Dipstick tube at the block and put just enough pressure to get the alternator out.
I'm left wondering IF this is an example of engineering OR an Idiosyncrasy of the (in this case) Mexico assembly line.
Speaking of alternators and thinking about carrying a spare as I used to in previous trucks, there are NSA-Brand OEM replacements for
an incredible low price (Less than $150) online. Anybody had an experience with one ?
[Edited on 6-22-2010 by MrBillM]
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CortezBlue
Super Nomad
Posts: 2213
Registered: 11-14-2006
Location: Fenix/San Phelipe
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I need to wash the mud away from my Avalanche so I can see what is going on. We were down weekend after last and are returning for 4th of July
weekend. I litterally have so much mud that if I have shorts on the mud scratches my leg when I get out of the truck.
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9011
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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Mood: Inquisitive
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Arent brushes the only thing that really goes out on an alternator? Well, sometimes bearings, but that's only in areas that get lots of rain. Even the
windings can be replaced locally over here.
Just get em rebuilt locally, Bill. Lots less than 150.00
[Edited on 6-22-2010 by Hook]
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MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21656
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Out and About
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Mood: It's a Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day
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Brushing Up ?
Generally Speaking, it is true nowadays that Brushes are the weak link thanks to the much-longer bearing life as a result of Serpentine drive belts.
Back when I was still in the Auto-Electric business and everything was V-belt, Bearing failure was generally encountered sooner than brushes wore out
since tension was necessary to prevent slippage.
The bearings on the Alternator in question "Felt" great. Better to replace too soon than too late. And, especially important since a failure
cripples the engine since EVERYTHING is run by one belt.
Speaking only for myself, it would take the fingers on BOTH hands (perhaps more) to count the number of times I've cut away a drive belt on the
Generator/Alternator, Power Steering or A/C and kept going to a repair point.
And, of course I had the Alternator maintenance done locally (on a still working unit) for a reasonable price BUT a re-reading of
what I actually said would indicate that what I was discussing regarding the NSA units was a SPARE Alternator. Assuming I
could buy a good OEM core for a reasonable price, I "might" beat the $150, but I might not. Hence the Q regarding anyone else who might have
experience with the NSA brand.
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gnukid
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4411
Registered: 7-2-2006
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They sell OEM Alternators in Baja at Autozone and other outlets for as little as $35 rebuilt and $50 new. I would wait and get one there, they are
also guaranteed. Pretty terrific!
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MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21656
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Out and About
Member Is Offline
Mood: It's a Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day
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Suggestions
( Even Unsolicited ) ARE, of course, appreciated for their value.
Having been in the Auto-Electric business for many years (albeit years ago), I worked on many units sold by Chain-Auto Parts outlets. Quality "seems"
to have improved in more recent years so my attitude may be simply outdated, especially since their warranties are so much better than in the past.
However, Warranties are not always an indication of a Quality product, but rather confidence in the Law-of-Averages.
However, it is also true that there is no price savings even at Autozone, in the U.S., that is. $127.00 for their Duralast Rebuilt +
$72.00 core = $199.00.
It MAY be correct that Autozone in Baja would have a Lower price, BUT the chances that I would buy an "Optional" Rebuilt unit in Mexico are VERY
close to Zero.
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