Date: Sun, 18 Dec 2011 10:04:00 -0500
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: did I do that-Alternator Bracket
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
Of all the fasteners on the Waterboxer the two that hold the alternator
bracket to the engine seem to be a very common failure. Like most threaded
fastener failures this one is usually caused by incorrect hardware or
installation. Loct tite, lock washer, nylon locknuts are not an answer and
more likely can create a false sense of security. Also a defective
alternator, (bearings, rotor balance) and inadequate tightening of the lower
pivot bolt add the forces that stress these fasteners.
As I have stated in the past bolts, nuts, and washer come in various grades.
Especially for this application if you obtained the nuts or washers from a
parts or hardware you probably have the wrong stuff. You need property class
10.9 for this including the studs if they need to be replaced. Do not use
exhaust studs as these are usually P.C. 5.8. Due to the forces here soft
nuts or washer will deform and allow the connection to loosen. Locking stuff
will keep the nut from falling off but the loose connection will allow the
bracket to move slightly at first and getting worse as the new wear points
begin to increase clearance allowing the forces to amplify and increase
further. Eventually the stud will break form wearing through and/or the
bracket will crack from the leveraged forces. The front of the case will
also be pounded.
Use good hardware, properly tighten that pivot bolt. If you can adjust the
belt tension without loosening the pivot it is too loose. Get a belt tension
gauge. A lose belt can do more vibration related damage than an over
tightened one and this one needs to tight due to the lack of wrap around the
drive pulley.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Roger Whittaker
Sent: Friday, December 16, 2011 5:55 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: did i do that
dear fellow vanogonears
was traveling appointed rounds today when belt was tossed two lights came on
... limp home to remedy ...
went to tighten alternator and discovered reason for belt toss the bolt
fastened to block under alt had broken free of block by breaking metal
surrounding bolt ... likely last time alt was changed or put in place or
maybe several times before and simply worried apart in my care ...
so because i only required to make two short trips today i jury rigged to a
tightness that survived bench test revving and continued on
6 k later the belt tossed again
this time i sussed further and discovered that the other of the two bolts
holding alt in place was missing ... i tried to place a new one only to
discover the old one had been twisted off ...
when indeed and how long had this issue been festering ...
should i look askance at previous engine install or my own self for not
giving better inspection last time i tightened the alt ... i thought it was
unusual to have to retighten every few months ... but had begun to consider
it regular maintenance ...
so she was towed home today ... flat deck mounted westie getting to be the
yearly christmas feature in my traditions and first on the list for 2012
(unless end of world events preempt ...) fashion better alt bracket for 84
westie with transplanted slightly larger than OEM engine
a circus of events brought about in an effort to disturb my senses ...
indeed
regards
--
roger w
From Proverbs:
Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up: a
servant who becomes king ...
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