2009 Toyota RAV4 with about 150k miles. OEM alternator went out last year. I replaced with a Bosch rebuilt from Rockauto. I'm 3 days from a cross country trip and the Bosch has now begun screaming and rattling at startup. My options are now Napa, Autozone, Advance, O'Reilly. Does anyone make a decent rebuild that ACTUALLY changes the bearings? I won't be touching Bosch again.
Alternator choices
- Thread starter WA1DH
- Start date
try this,wish you luck
https://autoparts.toyota.com/
Cheapest Dealers to order from my experience and free shipping on order of $75 or more:
Dealership - Zip Codes
Lewis Toyota of Topeka - 66614
World Toyota - 30341
Serra Toyota of Decatur - 35603
https://autoparts.toyota.com/
Cheapest Dealers to order from my experience and free shipping on order of $75 or more:
Dealership - Zip Codes
Lewis Toyota of Topeka - 66614
World Toyota - 30341
Serra Toyota of Decatur - 35603
Just get one of the new alternators 
Toyota does still make the alternator for your 2009 Rav4, but it does cost more
Toyota does still make the alternator for your 2009 Rav4, but it does cost more
I would just buy new from Rockauto, or only Denso for a reman one. Parts store remans are a gamble nowadays.
Bosch under warranty?
I have had good luck with the remanufactured Denso's from NAPA: I think I posted here before, but one went in my MIL's Camry.
Here: (not sure what engine you have)
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/DEN2101159
I have had good luck with the remanufactured Denso's from NAPA: I think I posted here before, but one went in my MIL's Camry.
Here: (not sure what engine you have)
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/DEN2101159
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I have had AMAZING luck (perfect so far) on used Alternators & Starters from either Facebook Marketplace (but I know what I am looking for)
or car-part.com, and buy a used OEM (only) that the salvage yard has already taken out (using your zipcode) for $40-50 I can easily find working starters and alternators.
make sure to get the OEM part number from your original alternator (I hope you took a picture) or call Toyota for the part number.
You need it within the next day or two for your cross country trip?
Any rebuild shops near by?
If you cannot locate a rebuild shop then OEM.
I would to start my trip confident my alternator would be 100%.
Any rebuild shops near by?
If you cannot locate a rebuild shop then OEM.
I would to start my trip confident my alternator would be 100%.
Rent a car?
I would trust a used oem rather than alot of rebuilds.
Here’s what we need. This is a regular enough issue that BITOG could use a resource on how to DIY this.
- source for brushes
- how to measure, source and replace bearings
- how to at least clean and polish the slip rings
- source for diode bridge
Car hits 150k, or you get suspicious, either order the parts or source a cheap carcass and DIY the rebuild???
- source for brushes
- how to measure, source and replace bearings
- how to at least clean and polish the slip rings
- source for diode bridge
Car hits 150k, or you get suspicious, either order the parts or source a cheap carcass and DIY the rebuild???
If you can’t rush a Denso from RA in the next couple days (no chinazon or fleabay) then I’d bite the bullet and get an OEM from the dealer and know I’ll probably never have to replace it.
Don’t want to break down in the middle of the desert in summer or something, that tow will cost a lot more than that alternator
Don’t want to break down in the middle of the desert in summer or something, that tow will cost a lot more than that alternator
Don't the rebuild shops turn the alternator rotor on a lathe? How is a shade tree mechanic suppose to do that?
They also use an oscilloscope to check the output of the alternator to determine if a diode in the bridge is bad. If one diode is bad they usually replace the diode bridge.
I dunno, you really need a chassis iron to do it right.
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