I would do that too if I had a good source of the brushes and spent some time determining how to take apart the voltage regulator assembly. Many of the old diesels out there are at the mileage where the brushes are about gone - so I bet there's a lot of unnecessary alternator purchases that take place when only the brushes are needed.

I found it interesting that the alternator on my 1987 300D uses the same voltage regulator assembly as the older cars, at least the 1982 and 1984 cars. Makes keeping spares easier - if only they used the same oil filter.

Ken300D

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1982 300D at 351K miles
1984 300SD at 217K miles
1987 300D at 370K miles