Yea, the parts are available. 30 years ago I probably would have but I no longer have the time nor the patience. Not to mention the whining sound is a tell tale that the bearing is toast. At this mileage it's best just to replace it outright. I paid a $130 at Napa after my AAA discount.

 

Yes
in such circumstances this is the right decision
but still don’t throw away the old generator
maybe it will be useful in the future

 

geg, over here we take the old one back to be rebuilt.
when you purchase the alternator, you are charged a core charge , that is refunded when you return the old alternator.

 

Yep, $29 in this case.

That said the job wasn't too bad. The hardest part was performing Tetris maneuvers to get the old one out. The new went in easier, one strategic twist and it was in the right area.