mine had a crack in it like that also

I got a used alternator at a junk yard for $40 and the brushes on it were in better shape, wear wise then the ones that were on the car

that method of replacement is far better then what the manual outlines

- 95 Mystique LS - Zetec/5spd - 99 Contour SeVT Sport - Duratec/5spd Official NE-CEG Contour/Mustang Family