bad alternator bearings?

I am getting some noises that i think is the alternator bearings, has anyone else had this happen, and does anyone know if i can take it apart and replace the bearings?

 

What lead you to believe it was the alternator?

Have you driven through deep water recently? I ask because if driven through deep water the idler pulleys tend to go bad. I've gone through two of them. They don't fail, they just get noisy.

 

If it's a squeak while running, spray some belt dressing on the alternator belt while it's running. It's more likely the belt worn in the pulleys (or an idler) than the alternator bearing.

 

While your engine is off take the serpentine belt off and check all your pulley and alternator bearings for play and roughness.

When you find the culprit dismantle and press your bearing out and take to your nearest bearing store and specifically ask for timken or skf bearing replacement, lube all parts and refit.

Bearings and water don't mix yet people continue to dunk there trucks or degrease there engines without covering up all components concerned (especially alternators) thus washing the grease of components and causing water intrusion in places where it does not belong.

Water in alternators doesn't do bearings and diodes much good at all.

 

I've replaced 2 alternators and the pulleys thanks to the FROG hole at raush water engine don't mix.

 

Yes you can replace just bearings. Its not that complicated either. Hardest part is removing pulley.
EDit: If you replacing bearings replace brushes too. its going to be like brand new alternator.