Milano Alternator Fun

["Damian Magista" <magista@domain.elided>]

Last week my poor Milano started draining it's battery. After checking all
connections and grounds...then consulting the Alfa Owners Bible I found a
nice little tip from Fred D., check the brushes, they wear out.

On Sunday I ran out to Schucks (Schmucks) and asked them for a regulator for
the alternator. Kid behind the counter, "Yeah, uh...we will have to special
order it and it will be $80." Me, "Ok thanks, see you later." $80? Gimme a
break.

I took off to Big Wheel by my pops house. Told the guy what I wanted. He
pulled it off the shelf and charged me $35. Much better. Now the fun part.

Changing the regulator/brushes is pretty easy, 2 screw hold on to the back
of the alternator. The tricky part is doing it without pulling the
alternator and power steering pump. We attacked from above. After contorting
into impossible positions and getting burned by the header we finally got
the old one out. Lo and behold one brush was completely gone and the other
was a mere nub.

Installing the new one would be easy...or so we thought. It took about an
hour and a half to get the holes lined up properly and it screwed down.
Basically you have to do it by feel because you can't see jack. It's much
like threading a needle while this hot pipe is searing your arm. We
eventually grabbed a skewer. We put it through the screw hole (lower) in the
regulator and into the hole in the alternator, this kept it in place while
we tightened the top screw. After that was done we were able to finally get
the
lower portions tightened down correctly.

I turned over my Milano and TA-DAH! Battery light was off. All fixed.

What have I learned: There is no easy job. Set aside at least 2 hours for
even the 				   simplest task. It will take longer and you will rack your
knuckles.

Damian

Damian Magista
87 Milano <-- Fixed
72 Berlina <-- new u-joints tomorrow
magista@domain.elided
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