Author Topic: questions and help needed with alternator bearing repair  (Read 9527 times)

Offline bmwcyclist

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questions and help needed with alternator bearing repair
« on: November 03, 2019, 09:34:29 AM »
I need to pull the alternator dog (alternator drive flange) off of the accessory plate (bell housing)

None of the pullers I have can fit around the tight back of the drive flange.

Thanks!
  • Batavia Oh
  • K75 1990, K75RT 1995

Offline johnny

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Re: questions and help needed with alternator bearing repair
« Reply #1 on: November 03, 2019, 09:40:59 AM »
greetiings...

did you remove the bolt... its on a tapered splined shaft... whack with a hammer oughtta do it...

if that wont getts it gotta take to tool loaner parts stoar...

i used something like this... as not wanting to whack the bearings... gotts it started and supported with 2 by 4 lumber... used a press on the shaft...

poast up some photos so we see what you see...

j o
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Offline bmwcyclist

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Re: questions and help needed with alternator bearing repair
« Reply #2 on: November 03, 2019, 12:22:56 PM »
Thanks!

I am surprised you got that to fit in that tiny space!

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Offline The Mighty Gryphon

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Re: questions and help needed with alternator bearing repair
« Reply #3 on: November 03, 2019, 12:42:22 PM »
Mine always just pulled off.  You might want to try some heat on the dog, followed by a pull straight back with ViseGrips.
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  • '91K100RS White/Blue
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Offline johnny

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Re: questions and help needed with alternator bearing repair
« Reply #4 on: November 03, 2019, 01:38:36 PM »
greetings...

it was something like that... much thinner... just thin enough to getts it started enough to use a press... donts wanna f-up the bearings... a big giant dirt bike mechanic had it and the press... its good to know people with assets...

j o
  • :johnny i parks my 96 eleven hundert rs motobrick in dodge county cheezconsin  :johnny

Offline bmwcyclist

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Re: questions and help needed with alternator bearing repair
« Reply #5 on: November 17, 2019, 09:31:29 AM »
Help, please!

I bought a used 1995 K75RT (not running "needed battery"). Riding I hear a noisy engine. Sound is from the alternator. I replaced the alternator and monkey b's.

20 miles later really BAD sound. I found the alternator dog bearing is SHOT.

I replaced the bearing and I did something WRONG but I don't know what.

The engine is hard to turn over. It seems to be from some binding of the gears behind the bell housing. I took them out to check for bearing pieces and perhaps I did not put something incorrectly?

Also, should the alternator coupling require a lot of force (as in cranking down the bolts) to get it to come together and then require to be pried apart?


Please help, thank you.



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Offline The Mighty Gryphon

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Re: questions and help needed with alternator bearing repair
« Reply #6 on: November 17, 2019, 12:36:53 PM »
Can you expand a bit on what you did in there?   How far did you go?  What did you take apart?  Do you have any photos of wha you saw in there?t
  • In my garage in Marilla, NY
  • '91K100RS White/Blue
Current:
'91 K100RS16V "Moby Brick Too"

Past:
'94 K75RT "Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS"
'92 K100RS16V "Moby Brick" (RIP, deceased in a vehicular assault)
'94 K75S Special Edition Dakar Yellow "Cheetos"
'89 K100RS Special Edition "Special Ed"

Offline bmwcyclist

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Re: questions and help needed with alternator bearing repair
« Reply #7 on: November 17, 2019, 06:20:28 PM »
Can you expand a bit on what you did in there?   How far did you go?  What did you take apart?  Do you have any photos of wha you saw in there?t

PHotos attached.

I think I have the gear binding issue resolved. There was a missing shim/washer ( part number 11 26 1 460 730 ).

What remains might not be a problem, I don't know.

When I set the alternator in place it stands about 8mm out. By screwing in the bolts it does seat but this pressure seems a bit much.

Initially the dog did not want to come off but a puller resolved that.

When I go to remove the alternator the alternator clutch and the dog hold so tight I have to pry the alternator off of the bellhousing with screwdrivers.

I have new "monkey nutz" and have tried them with and without a light grease.

(stock photos of the clutch and dog)
  • Batavia Oh
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Offline Laitch

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Re: questions and help needed with alternator bearing repair
« Reply #8 on: November 18, 2019, 11:02:13 AM »
Is this damage being indicated at the point of the arrow? From which side of the intermediate housing did you install the bearing? Is its lock ring installed? It might be a function of the photo's perspective, but the bearing seems misaligned.
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Offline bmwcyclist

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Re: questions and help needed with alternator bearing repair
« Reply #9 on: November 18, 2019, 12:29:22 PM »
I will try to get a better photo.

The bearing seemed to seat normally, I used a bearing installation tool that matched the bearing size.

Thank you, I will check this and let you know!
  • Batavia Oh
  • K75 1990, K75RT 1995

Offline bmwcyclist

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Re: questions and help needed with alternator bearing repair
« Reply #10 on: November 18, 2019, 08:08:26 PM »
I THINK I may have discovered the problem.

Today a spare used alternator arrived that I purchased.

The first Photo shows how the new alternator when pressed in leaves a gap that can only be closed by turning in the bolts. Also, this "locks in" the alternator so tight I have to pry it out.


* IMG_5507.jpg (44.86 kB . 640x480 - viewed 473 times)

The used spare alternator has no such issue.

I measured the new alternator against the old one and the only difference I could find is that the inner washer that holds the clutch cup on is wider.

My assumption is that this wider washer is getting stuck in the dog.

Thoughts?


* IMG_5509.jpg (78.65 kB . 640x480 - viewed 492 times)
* IMG_5510.jpg (98.88 kB . 640x480 - viewed 451 times)
* IMG_5512.jpg (76.83 kB . 640x480 - viewed 440 times)
* IMG_5505.jpg (116.5 kB . 640x480 - viewed 448 times)
  • Batavia Oh
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Offline Laitch

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Re: questions and help needed with alternator bearing repair
« Reply #11 on: November 18, 2019, 09:59:08 PM »
Do you notice any similarities and differences between the "spare used" alternator, the "new" alternator, and the alternator in the parts diagram?
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Offline volador

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Re: questions and help needed with alternator bearing repair
« Reply #12 on: November 19, 2019, 01:40:52 AM »
Do you notice any similarities and differences between the "spare used" alternator, the "new" alternator, and the alternator in the parts diagram?

Is that like some kind of psychological mind game trick question?
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Offline Laitch

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Re: questions and help needed with alternator bearing repair
« Reply #13 on: November 19, 2019, 02:07:06 AM »
Is that like some kind of psychological mind game trick question?
Return to your seared amberjack and Lagavulin with a calm mind; the question wasn't addressed to you.
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Offline volador

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Re: questions and help needed with alternator bearing repair
« Reply #14 on: November 19, 2019, 02:23:03 AM »
Return to your seared amberjack and Lagavulin with a calm mind; the question wasn't addressed to you.
Outstanding man, you are clairvoyant.

Enjoying a tub of Ben & Jerrys Phish Food anticipating the answer
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Offline Scott_

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Re: questions and help needed with alternator bearing repair
« Reply #15 on: November 19, 2019, 06:51:06 AM »
Liatch, I know your question isn't for me either, but it looks to me like the OP has 2 different units there.
One looks to be a pre '94 33A unit and the other is a '94-later 50A unit..... and it's the later one that he says isn't fitting proper..   
Looking at his micrometer pictures, one washer is obviously wider than the other. Parts fiche indicates that washer should be 25mm dia lock washer.
I'd guess that someone replaced the dog drive cup and used the wrong sized washer upon assembly.
The fiche indicated that both series of alternators use the same size lock washer.
If it were me I'd change the washer with the proper size and use the 50A unit.
OP is confusing with his use of new/used/spare..... he says the 'new' one doesn't fit, yet it's the dirty one with the oversized lock washer....I suppose one could say that it is 'new' to him....
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Offline johnny

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Re: questions and help needed with alternator bearing repair
« Reply #16 on: November 19, 2019, 07:27:43 AM »
greetings...

what are the part numbers and what do they fit...

http://www.motobrick.com/index.php/topic,9770.0.html

j o
  • :johnny i parks my 96 eleven hundert rs motobrick in dodge county cheezconsin  :johnny

Offline The Mighty Gryphon

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Re: questions and help needed with alternator bearing repair
« Reply #17 on: November 19, 2019, 08:16:52 AM »
Liatch, I know your question isn't for me either, but it looks to me like the OP has 2 different units there.
One looks to be a pre '94 33A unit and the other is a '94-later 50A unit..... and it's the later one that he says isn't fitting proper..   
Looking at his micrometer pictures, one washer is obviously wider than the other. Parts fiche indicates that washer should be 25mm dia lock washer.
I'd guess that someone replaced the dog drive cup and used the wrong sized washer upon assembly.
The fiche indicated that both series of alternators use the same size lock washer.
If it were me I'd change the washer with the proper size econd)and use the 50A unit.
OP is confusing with his use of new/used/spare..... he says the 'new' one doesn't fit, yet it's the dirty one with the oversized lock washer....I suppose one could say that it is 'new' to him....

Scott, thanks for posting that.  I saw the same things. 

In defense of the original poster, the alternators are interchangeable.  I probably would gave missed that lock washer on the first(or second) go around.
  • In my garage in Marilla, NY
  • '91K100RS White/Blue
Current:
'91 K100RS16V "Moby Brick Too"

Past:
'94 K75RT "Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS"
'92 K100RS16V "Moby Brick" (RIP, deceased in a vehicular assault)
'94 K75S Special Edition Dakar Yellow "Cheetos"
'89 K100RS Special Edition "Special Ed"

Offline bmwcyclist

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Re: questions and help needed with alternator bearing repair
« Reply #18 on: November 19, 2019, 08:51:54 AM »
Liatch, I know your question isn't for me either, but it looks to me like the OP has 2 different units there.
One looks to be a pre '94 33A unit and the other is a '94-later 50A unit..... and it's the later one that he says isn't fitting proper..   
Looking at his micrometer pictures, one washer is obviously wider than the other. Parts fiche indicates that washer should be 25mm dia lock washer.
I'd guess that someone replaced the dog drive cup and used the wrong sized washer upon assembly.
The fiche indicated that both series of alternators use the same size lock washer.
If it were me I'd change the washer with the proper size and use the 50A unit.
OP is confusing with his use of new/used/spare..... he says the 'new' one doesn't fit, yet it's the dirty one with the oversized lock washer....I suppose one could say that it is 'new' to him....

Mostly correct.

The 50A unit was purchased new with the clutch cup already installed from euromotoelectrics. While it may have some oil and dust it is indeed new.

The second unit which I just acquired last night is a well-used unit from a 50K mile K75S.

Until I had the second unit I was trusting that the euromotoelectrics unit was properly configured and was trying to work out if the issue was with my bearing replacement, the dog or the monkey nutz.

Now the washer seems to be the clear issue, I hope to test this hypothesis very soon.

I am now also wondering if the bad configuration from euromotoelectrics may have caused my bearing failure.

.

  • Batavia Oh
  • K75 1990, K75RT 1995

Offline bmwcyclist

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Re: questions and help needed with alternator bearing repair
« Reply #19 on: November 19, 2019, 09:04:45 AM »
Scott, thanks for posting that.  I saw the same things. 

In defense of the original poster, the alternators are interchangeable.  I probably would gave missed that lock washer on the first(or second) go around.

Correct. Thank you.

In post number 6 you can see that this is a new alternator the previous had gone out (bad alternator bearings).

The thread is confusing because the admins combined two different threads/questions that I had.

Had someone answered my question "should the alternator be difficult to insert/ pried out to remove" I would likely have been able to resolve this issue quicker and perhaps without purchasing the second alternator as I was still operating under the assumption that such a tight fit might be normal. 

I was under the false assumption that this would be a reasonably straight forward question that would result in a Yes/No answer and then if needed troubleshooting could continue with additional details.


However, with the moving of the threads, that question was missed and the importance placed on the photos rather than the basic question I was seeking an answer to.

Without any input from the forum, I had to buy the second alternator, discover a tight fit was not normal and then investigate the setup from euromotoelectrics.

So, rather than getting help with solving the problem, it has just been "after action" comments.

Hopefully, this will serve as a record so if anyone else winds up with this problem they can check the washer and perhaps even prevent a destroyed bearing.
.


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Offline Laitch

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Re: questions and help needed with alternator bearing repair
« Reply #20 on: November 19, 2019, 10:41:57 AM »
Had someone answered my question "should the alternator be difficult to insert/ pried out to remove" I would likely have been able to resolve this issue quicker and perhaps without purchasing the second alternator as I was still operating under the assumption that such a tight fit might be normal. 

I was under the false assumption that this would be a reasonably straight forward question that would result in a Yes/No answer and then if needed troubleshooting could continue with additional details.
Your question has been available to read in this post, all along. Often, adding more explanation, supplying additional clear photos in correct orientation with captions, and answering all questions that are asked are necessary for others to help. That responders might not have read the thread thoroughly or met your timeliness expectations is the way it goes sometimes. Assumption and haste are what lead many members here to make mistaken—and costly—decisions.

More than anything else though, patience is what's needed when encountering any mechanical problem and collaborating with others on the Internet for its successful repair.
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Offline bmwcyclist

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Re: questions and help needed with alternator bearing repair
« Reply #21 on: November 19, 2019, 11:21:48 AM »
Your question has been available to read in this post, all along. Often, adding more explanation, supplying additional clear photos in correct orientation with captions, and answering all questions that are asked are necessary for others to help. That responders might not have read the thread thoroughly or met your timeliness expectations is the way it goes sometimes. Assumption and haste are what lead many members here to make mistaken—and costly—decisions.

More than anything else though, patience is what's needed when encountering any mechanical problem and collaborating with others on the Internet for its successful repair.

I understand and I don't envy your job of trying to make this forum a productive resource that presents help for these wonderful bikes in a structured way.

One important thing I have learned is to not try to post in haste from the shop with greasy hands or phone and wait until I can make a more structured query.

.
  • Batavia Oh
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Offline Laitch

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Re: questions and help needed with alternator bearing repair
« Reply #22 on: November 19, 2019, 11:34:03 AM »
I understand and I don't envy your job of . . .
It isn't a job; it's intellectual exercise gone awry. I refer to it as gonawrya. The same condition affects work on the moto occasionally. :-)
  • Along the Ridley in Vermont.
  • 1995 K75 89,000 miles

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