Would a failed alternator clutch pulley damage alternator shaft?

[diyjack76]

Hi all,

Quick question... took car to garage this morning for quote on replacing the alternator clutch pulley as it failed over the weekend, but was told I would need a new alternator since pulley moved away from the shaft by 25mm. Is this a fair assessment? Have been quoted £354 inc vat (including new belt). Any thoughts welcome on this. Many thanks

[vwcabriolet1971]

Don't understand the term "moved away 25mm."
If the pulley is merely loose then perhaps it can be re-tightened or replaced. The alternator should be removed and examined to determine what the problem is. My guess is the garage do not want to establish what's wrong (or to effect a repair) but they want to take the easy option ( and the more lucrative option) of replacing it with a new one. £358 seems excessive.

[Doctle Odd]

25mm is roughly an inch, nonsense to say you have that movement IMO. I changed mine recently, there was no power (plenty of power cuts in Ireland) so no rattle gun, but still doable. Pulley was €45.00 yoyos took less than an hour on a mk1 Octy

[diyjack76]

Thanks for both your respective inputs. The garage was reluctant to just replace pulley saying they had been "stung" before on this and said that the bearings in the alternator would have become damaged because of excess loading given the pulley had moved by more than 25mm off the shaft of the alternator...as time was not on my side (wife needed car following day) I had to take the hit. Thanks again.

[Mickyroo]

Buy a clutch pulley and the tool and do it yaself I had daft quotes a few weeks back saying alternator had to come off etc etc I unclipped the fuel filter housing and there was loads of room to do it was very easy unlike other issues I'm having at the minute with it