Shattered Alternator Bracket

85rkyboby · Aug 25, 2014

Anyone ever shattered/busted an alternator bracket? Happened on the way home from a car show yesterday. Shattered that alternator bracket, busted my Powermaster 140A, belt is gone, and snapped the 3 grade 16/18 bolts that held the bracket on right in half. It almost felt as my exhaust fell and was scrapping. Then it got more intense and felt like the driveshaft was dragging. Lost power steering, due to the belt coming off. Then my old lady said it felt like something was pushing up on her passenger seat. She started freaking out in fear of a violent @ss reaming. Then I got lucky and we had a big old parking lot to coast down into where we waited for a tow. Really confused as to how it happened.

stykthyn · Aug 25, 2014

You didn't over tighten the bolts abd crack the aluminum did you? Only thing I can think of that would cause that to happen.

85rkyboby · Aug 25, 2014

stykthyn said:
You didn't over tighten the bolts abd crack the aluminum did you? Only thing I can think of that would cause that to happen.

Nope just tightened them with my 3/8 ratchet. I didn't inspect the bottom of the bracket after installing it but I know there wasn't any cracking around the sides or top-ish side.

stykthyn · Aug 25, 2014

That's odd. It's really not a part that sees a lot of stress so for it to just shear off is new to me. Maybe someone else will chime in.

85rkyboby · Aug 25, 2014

stykthyn said:
That's odd. It's really not a part that sees a lot of stress so for it to just shear off is new to me. Maybe someone else will chime in.

I can't wrap my head around it. It's kind of alarming, especially not knowing the cause. There's now way if the belt came of and got wrapped up it could do this damage right?

85rkyboby · Aug 25, 2014

Here's a pic. Not much to see but the bottom of the bracket in the picture is broke into three separate pieces.

stykthyn · Aug 25, 2014

Did you have to clearance it to make room for that alternator?

85rkyboby · Aug 25, 2014

@stykthyn Nope. If it matters that a 1-wire Powermaster.

stykthyn · Aug 25, 2014

Must have been a flaw in the bracket that went unnoticed. Even if the alt had seized, the belt would have spun until it frayed through. The other pulleys help spread the load from the tension.

85rkyboby · Aug 25, 2014

That's good to hear I hope that's all it was. I guess it could of been alot worse considering what happened. Luckily my cousin-in-law has an extra braket from an 89, they're all the same right?

stykthyn · Aug 25, 2014

Yes. They are the same

85rkyboby · Aug 25, 2014

stykthyn said:
Yes. They are the same

Thanks for your opinion on this subject and thanks for the help as well.

85rkyboby · Aug 25, 2014

Alright well after inspection it was the the bracket that broke. The bolts that held the bracket on snapped clean in half. That part of the bracket is fine. What broke was the alternator, the side that takes the smaller bolt is gone, don't have it. The part of the alternator that the bigger bolt went through is still on the alt. bracket. Nut, bolt, washer, part of alternator & all.

Would this be something to take up with Powermaster or will they just give me the run around?

stykthyn · Aug 25, 2014

Couldn't hurt to contact them. I'm assuming you have a receipt?

85rkyboby · Aug 25, 2014

stykthyn said:
Couldn't hurt to contact them. I'm assuming you have a receipt?

Definitely do. Learned to keep receipts a while ago ha-ha

madspeed · Aug 25, 2014

I've got a full 3 ring binder. Might have to ditch some old receipts to make room for more

85rkyboby · Aug 25, 2014

Dang, that alot. I tend to fold receipts then put them in labeled envelopes.

madspeed · Aug 25, 2014

Got one for my daily driver too, full receipts since 1999. Had 10,000 miles on it, 260,000 now

stykthyn · Aug 25, 2014

That looks like an 850R

madspeed · Aug 25, 2014

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Shattered Alternator Bracket

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I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.

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I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.

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I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.

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I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.

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I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.

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I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.

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I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.

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