Broken/flawed alternator mount on '02
#1
03-15-2006, 08:01 PM
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Central North Carolina
Posts: 2,105
Broken/flawed alternator mount on '02
Has anyone else had this problem, stock or modified?
Attached picture shows the alternator bracket that was just replaced on my 'vette. I'm pointing to where the post/mount that held the idler pulley sheered off. What used to be at this spot was a post that came out about 2 inches to hold the idler pulley.
This was the stock bracket that came with the car, carried over when I put in the C5R engine: same place holding the same equipment.
Of course, it was under a bit more stress because with the SC on the car the belt is tensioned a bit more and the idler was under a bit more side thrust. This broke within 15 miles (all gentle street driving) after that 13.8 second 0-150 run I posted a while back. I think that the stress of that run cracked it and it came apart a few miles and minutes later. Fortunately, it sheered off with no damage to the engine, just as I was pulling in to the Ford dealership where my son is service manager: so I left it there and his people did the work this week.
However, the point I wanted to make was that the replacement bracket, from Chevy, was a stock 04 bracket and it had much heavier casting around the point where this sheered Sorry I don't have a picture of the new one, but I didn't actually see it, my son and the mechanic who did the work explained it to me. They said it was obvious that someone had re-designed the bracket between late '01, when my car was assembled, and whenever the replacement bracket was made, adding a lot of strength right where this one broke.
It is a rare situation where a manufacturer puts metal into a production piece, increasing its cost even if just a couple of pennies. It indicates this must have been a problem.
Has anyone else had this problem, stock or modified?
[IMG]local://upfiles/428/5327A14E0CFF4C609F656D764C3CB586.jpg[/IMG]
Attached picture shows the alternator bracket that was just replaced on my 'vette. I'm pointing to where the post/mount that held the idler pulley sheered off. What used to be at this spot was a post that came out about 2 inches to hold the idler pulley.
This was the stock bracket that came with the car, carried over when I put in the C5R engine: same place holding the same equipment.
Of course, it was under a bit more stress because with the SC on the car the belt is tensioned a bit more and the idler was under a bit more side thrust. This broke within 15 miles (all gentle street driving) after that 13.8 second 0-150 run I posted a while back. I think that the stress of that run cracked it and it came apart a few miles and minutes later. Fortunately, it sheered off with no damage to the engine, just as I was pulling in to the Ford dealership where my son is service manager: so I left it there and his people did the work this week.
However, the point I wanted to make was that the replacement bracket, from Chevy, was a stock 04 bracket and it had much heavier casting around the point where this sheered Sorry I don't have a picture of the new one, but I didn't actually see it, my son and the mechanic who did the work explained it to me. They said it was obvious that someone had re-designed the bracket between late '01, when my car was assembled, and whenever the replacement bracket was made, adding a lot of strength right where this one broke.
It is a rare situation where a manufacturer puts metal into a production piece, increasing its cost even if just a couple of pennies. It indicates this must have been a problem.
Has anyone else had this problem, stock or modified?
[IMG]local://upfiles/428/5327A14E0CFF4C609F656D764C3CB586.jpg[/IMG]
#3
03-22-2006, 03:22 PM
RE: Broken/flawed alternator mount on '02
I WANT TO SAY I THINK MARCH PERFORMANCE PULLEYS &BRACKETS, HAS THAT BRACKET, IN CNC MACHINED ALUMINUM.I WOULD CHECK THEM OUT,I COULD BE WRONG,I NO I SAW A AFTERMARKET ONE SOMEWERE,HOPE THIS HELPS,
[IMG]local://upfiles/1664/738C5BC343444F34A6868C4872D27D00.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/1664/738C5BC343444F34A6868C4872D27D00.jpg[/IMG]
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Pecemkr
Corvette C5 Forum
7
08-21-2006 05:31 PM