Alternator Disassembly?
 

Are there any tricks or traps to alternator dis/reassembly on an 86 560SL? I'm going to polish up the aluminum on a used one, put in new brushes, etc. I've dis/reassembled GM alternators before, and I know what kind of currents are involved!

i have
 

i have never done it on a mercedes but on a volvo the alternator
has a plastic piece that goes in the back that contains the voltage regulator and the brush assembly and many times i have taken that piece and soldered in new brushes... and i use to carry a spare on the volvo...

i am betting that the mercedes has something similar.... and is not like the american....

another thing i notice is that the brass comentator rings get grooves cut into them... so if your rebuilding i would beed blast... and replace the bearing and commentator rings....and brushes...

i just
 

i just pulled a photo of a mercedes alternator and it is just like the volvo it has a voltage regulator that is plastic and has the brushes mounted into it..

so usually with this type of alternator all you have to do is buy this assembly...

and the price was only 33 bucks so it was a good price.... but i have soldered brushes into these units as well...

i would do nothing to the alternator and only change this voltage regulator assembly... and i would do that 2 or 3 times before i went inside the main alternator.... just blow the inside out....maybe use so special electrical cleaner.... :D