I was farting around in the garage today while the girls do Mothers Day things, and I spied an alternator from an 02 3800 on the shelf that I had deemed reusable. Since the new engine is coming together, it's time to make it pretty again. The alternator was grungy, so I either: blow it apart and clean it, upgrade, or replace it. I thought the Series 2 might kill 2 birds, but the ears won't bolt up to the front plate. Nix that. BUT, when I picked the old up, I heard something rattling inside. Further inspection revealed:

The rear bearing is wasted ! PUNT!

 

I watched a road kill garage episode recently where their street rod project chucked the bearing and subsequently tossed the drive belt. I haven't experienced that before or even thought about that happening.

Obviously, it sure does happen.

 

Look on the bright side. You found out about the bearing at home in your garage, not 2 hours from home on the highway somewhere.

I call that a win. Sit down, have a beer and take the rest of the day off. You've earned it.