Well i have a problem with the alternator and i guess its the brush,s and bushs that are
worn from lack of use.
So ive taken it out and taken to auto electrical and have been told not to bother fixing as its like 200 odd to service it and can get a new one for $ 260 now is that allot ??
can i put any mini alternator in like a second hand one in.
Its a cooper s mk 2
I would like a quick fix as the budgets blown out and havent even got it rego,d yet.
any comments appreciated.
unit

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Cooper S Mk 2

My new alternator was some Unipoint brand, that fits the Mini mounts. $198, 70amp.

i just had my alternator rebushed, took 10 weeks all up and got charged like a wounded bull too! But i wanted to keep the original lucas external reg 15ACR which yours should be. I got a replacement external reg as ya cant buy the 8TR lucas ones no more. I think minisport in SA has recon 15ACR alternator for about $160, or you could go the Bosch option which gives you more power. Mine runs perfect now and am very happy with it!
good luck

I got a rover mini alternator for $90, and put a couple of new ball bearings in it myself.
It's not that hard. Dunno about the brushes though.

How about the Bosch 85 Amp units that I make for $185. (Postage Free to Australia only) They fit straight on using same bolts and Belt and they come in a Kit with instructions and all. Will take you 20 minutes at the most to fit yourself. (if you know how to use a half inch spanner) PS they do not fit Minis with front mounted Radiators.
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Many ausmini members have bought them off me and are more than happy. And yes they have 12 MONTHS WARRANTY on Parts and labour.

You can only throw away the original alternator once, you can regret it forever though.

If it's just the bearings and brushes, for an Autosparky this is simple work. It would take 20 minutes to install a new alternator for 260 dollars, but would take 2 hours to rebuild the old one for 200 bucks. He's just being lazy and he will make a better profit margin because he can charge the same, but work on other jobs for more money in the time he saves.

If it wasn't a Cooper I would say go for it, get the new one, but this may be an important decision for originality and the future sale price of your car. They look very different to the original external regulated alternator.

This is really simple work, and the alternator has lasted 35 years so far on your Cooper S. Seems a shame to throw it away cos an autosparky wants to save an hour or so of effort so he can make a little more money for himself.

Bearings cost 15 dollars, and the brushes cost around 30.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

I had to have my aperture(??spelling) rewound on mine which took the time as it was sent to victoria. Benjamin,s dad knows of a place in Sydney that does it i since found out. I had a secondhand one on mine, but it was crap too. At least i know it will last for another 35 years and its all good for keeping it original.

armature.

Yeah, used to be an everyday thing to get it re-wound, but this trade seems to be going the way of the blacksmith or saddler in all but the most specialised types of electric motors. Repair by replacement these days.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Hi Guys thanks for your insight.
I know the guys not bull shiiting me because its a mechanic friends mate.
He says im better off with a new one but i reckon the bearings seam fine(i know bugger all about alternators) it felt tight and spun well.
So its only brush's cant be that hard ?? can it?
So ill ask him to fix it the car is total original i like what you say mike it may make a differece when the whole car is done up.

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Cooper S Mk 2

I got a second hand one from Newcastle for about 60 bux.....did the job. Ozcooper might have some spares, give him a pm.

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Brushes are a cinch to do, remove old ones, replace with new ones.
It's worth haveing a go at the bearings, at least the front one, it usually goes before the back bearing because of the load on it from the fanbelt.
The back one from memory requires the slip rings to be removed, this calls for a large soldering iron with plenty of heat to de-solder the connections to the armature.

Tradies will often do the bearing as a matter of course because it's allready on the table in front of them. Only takes half an hour with a puller.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.