Alternator Bolts and Brushes

[Barron_Williams]

I've got the front cover off to replace the gasket around the advance unit, so thought I'd replace the alternator brushes and springs.

Two things -

The brushes that are on the bike have a thin tube of insulation over the braided wiring. The new ones from BMW don't have the insulation. It has been about eight years since I replaced the brushes, but I don't remember having to re-use the insulation sleeves. Seems like they came already on the brushes. Anyone else run into this?

Second, when I started to take the alternator off (to get to the nuts holding the brush assembly), the three bolts are not coming loose. I seem to remember this being a challenge last time. They are really thin and not too strong. Any tricks to loosening these?

Barron

[20774]

Barron -

I bought some brushes many moons ago. Seems like they came with no insulation. Reuse of find something suitable.

You're trying to remove the stator? #12 in this picture?

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=0277&mospid=47839&btnr=12_0737&hg=12&fg=10

I forget if you can get to where the threads enter the housing. If you can, try some penetrant, PB Blaster or Kroil. If not, you could try lightly tapping on the head of the screw to break some of the corrosion.