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2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (stock)
Alternator bolt fixed, now alignment question
First thanks to everyone for guiding me to extract the broken bolt without trashing the thread in the housing…👍🏻
A couple guys suggested I use a spacer to fill the gap between the upper bracket and the alternator to alleviate stress on the new bolt. Question, the bottom alternator bracket is keeping it in good alignment with the other belts and pullies. When I screw the upper bolt in, the bracket bends into the alternator but doesn’t seem to affect the alignment or put much stress on the bolt. There is also a weird bend in the upper bracket. See the fotos…. Also posting a video of the motor running and everything seems to be in alignment… Seems to be ok, what do you guys think?
Bend in upper arm ( bracket ) Bottom bracket New bolt tightened in…
It appears to me, a PO or whoever worked on belts and pulleys at one time 'bent' that bracket to align belts to incorrect pulleys.
If they run true now, leave it. If you don't like the look, straighten the bracket..
The alternator pulley needs to be aligned to the water pump pulley without the belt installed AND without the upper bracket being attached. Then the upper bracket needs to be attached (loosely, so that you can adjust it once the belt is installed), but you should NOT have to bend it to fit. Either straighten the bracket so that it just mates to the alt housing, or install a spacer so that it can be bolted without bending the upper bracked. NOW you can install the belt and snug it to proper tension.
The alternator pulley needs to be aligned to the water pump pulley without the belt installed AND without the upper bracket being attached. Then the upper bracket needs to be attached (loosely, so that you can adjust it once the belt is installed), but you should NOT have to bend it to fit. Either straighten the bracket so that it just mates to the alt housing, or install a spacer so that it can be bolted without bending the upper bracked. NOW you can install the belt and snug it to proper tension.
This 👆 is now confusing,, as it appears it has been done correctly, belts are in alignment, ,, That 'bent' bracket is doing its job of keeping proper tension, as the lower alt. bracket is keeping it in the proper alignment. . That upper bracket will do its job, straight or bent.
The "bend" in the bracket is from the factory, at least for some model years/options. The straight brackets are aftermarket or replacement and really not correct.
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (stock)
Originally Posted by toddalin
The "bend" in the bracket is from the factory, at least for some model years/options. The straight brackets are aftermarket or replacement and really not correct.
Hmmm, now I’m confused, but that’s easy for me…😂😂
I think I’ll just leave it alone. Everything seems to be ok. I don’t no how many years it may have taken for the other bolt to snap but if breaks again I’ll try the other solutions…. Hopefully it will last 10 or 20 years 😉
Alternator bolt fixed, now alignment question
