Technically, maybe... I have attempted (and done) this before on various things (mostly motors). There are some issues: First of all there seem to be about 500 different brush sizes. Even if your local supplier has multiple brushes to pick from, you will likely find they don't have quite what you need. So you can look on the internet, but even if you can find them they are usually fairly expensive, and the regulators don't cost that much more. Finally, depending on how the regulator was manufactured, even if you have the brushes it may not be possible to install them. However, you might search around online and see if anyone has ever done it. Good luck.

Just pop in a new VR. easy fix.

Thanks! I'm sure I'll be back charging again soon! ;-)

Larry

Only Charging at 11.3v
 

Thanks Mpolli - I think I'll take the easy way out and do as Rob300SD suggested - it doesn't sound like it's worth the time, expense or effort to try to replace just the brushes.

I have a used alternator I recently obtained that I'm going to swap out and see how it does. I was getting everything ready to make the change when I discovered not all of the 4 hold down bolts are in place. They are inverted E Heads bolts I'll probably have to get from the dealer. It may work as it is, but I think the MB engineers must have had a reason for designing it the way they did.
I'm wondering if this is a common installation technique?

Thanks gang -