Many years back the words "rebuilt" and "remanufactured" had a specific meaning to each of them, because the industry, and society itself, was held to a much higher level of conduct. By definition, a rebuilt part meant the unit was disassembled, checked and any failed components were changed. If the shop was concerned with quality, then service items such as the brushes were also replaced at that time.

In contrast, remanufacturing describes a unit that has most, if not all, of its internal parts changed or rebuilt and only the case is original. This became a little confusing, since a true remanufactured alternator or starter could use the same rotor, but may be rewound and have the slip rings machined on a lathe. A good rule with an alternator is:   A remanufactured unit will have a new voltage regulator (if single stage internally regulated), diodes, rectifier, brushes and holder along with the bearings replaced. In truth, few, if any, rebuilders/remanufactuers do this. We have inspected so-called remanufactured units, only to find worn brushes, rusty diodes and old rectifiers and bearings. In many instances, the only component that was replaced was the internal voltage regulator, along with a good cleaning and painting of the case. Some people buy paint-jobs.

For this reason, we have developed an relatively inexpensive, high output, small case alternator as a direct replacement ( ZRD High Output Replacement Alternators ). This eliminated the need, problems, time, ... with repairing a worn or broken alternator. At least you know it will be done properly.