Broken alternator / power steering bracket
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
Broken alternator / power steering bracket
Just wondering if anyone has had this problem.
Procharger stage 2 kit with 8 rib bet set up.9lbs boost.
I thought the belt had come off when I lost power steering. On inspection the bracket that holds alternator and power steering pump and belt tensioner had broken away where the belt tensioner mounts. the bracket broke competely away with the tensioner pulley still on it.Belt was not overly tight.Is this common ? Wondering if I should reinforce new bracket where tensioner mounts before re fitting as this is quite a job now as ABS has to come out etc. etc. and I don't want to have to do it again.
Thanks Peter.
Procharger stage 2 kit with 8 rib bet set up.9lbs boost.
I thought the belt had come off when I lost power steering. On inspection the bracket that holds alternator and power steering pump and belt tensioner had broken away where the belt tensioner mounts. the bracket broke competely away with the tensioner pulley still on it.Belt was not overly tight.Is this common ? Wondering if I should reinforce new bracket where tensioner mounts before re fitting as this is quite a job now as ABS has to come out etc. etc. and I don't want to have to do it again.
Thanks Peter.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 10,924
Likes: 78
From: Forney Texas
Just wondering if anyone has had this problem.
Procharger stage 2 kit with 8 rib bet set up.9lbs boost.
I thought the belt had come off when I lost power steering. On inspection the bracket that holds alternator and power steering pump and belt tensioner had broken away where the belt tensioner mounts. the bracket broke competely away with the tensioner pulley still on it.Belt was not overly tight.Is this common ? Wondering if I should reinforce new bracket where tensioner mounts before re fitting as this is quite a job now as ABS has to come out etc. etc. and I don't want to have to do it again.
Thanks Peter.
Procharger stage 2 kit with 8 rib bet set up.9lbs boost.
I thought the belt had come off when I lost power steering. On inspection the bracket that holds alternator and power steering pump and belt tensioner had broken away where the belt tensioner mounts. the bracket broke competely away with the tensioner pulley still on it.Belt was not overly tight.Is this common ? Wondering if I should reinforce new bracket where tensioner mounts before re fitting as this is quite a job now as ABS has to come out etc. etc. and I don't want to have to do it again.
Thanks Peter.
When I built up my new motor, I asked Andy if I should get some upgrade and he said "not as long as you have the updated bracket. I have never had a customer break one "
I trusted him and kept my new bracket and have not had an issue. The more expensive answer is to get the one from ECS. Everybody's happy with it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,089
Likes: 4
From: Ocala FL
The pre-2003 brackets suck. I broke mine and since it was a clean break, I welded the crap out of it. It broke in another place right beneath it. The less expensive answer is to replace the bracket with a new one from GM for 80 bucks. They no longer sell the old style. The replacements are all updated and are stronger by a mile.
When I built up my new motor, I asked Andy if I should get some upgrade and he said "not as long as you have the updated bracket. I have never had a customer break one "
I trusted him and kept my new bracket and have not had an issue. The more expensive answer is to get the one from ECS. Everybody's happy with it.
When I built up my new motor, I asked Andy if I should get some upgrade and he said "not as long as you have the updated bracket. I have never had a customer break one "
I trusted him and kept my new bracket and have not had an issue. The more expensive answer is to get the one from ECS. Everybody's happy with it.
Hasn't broke yet...
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 245
Likes: 16
From: nj
welding the bracket. First its not strong enough to begin with. Second when you weld it it will warp some and the alignment of the idler can and most likely will change. Last is when you weld the bracket you soften and weaken the aluminum material allot and instead of just breaking it will bend some first and create a alignment issue that may have you looking elseware for your possible future belt issue. Either use the late model or the best solution is the ECS unit which is much
stronger and won't bend or break even with a 10 rib belt.
stronger and won't bend or break even with a 10 rib belt.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 18,682
Likes: 4
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
I am the exception with this. I still have my factory 2000 bracket and never broke it but Andy strongly recommended me to go with 2004 bracket with my 8 rib setup so I got 2004 one from GM for about 88 bucks.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 8,629
Likes: 16
From: York PA
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 0
From: Stamford CT
The pre-2003 brackets suck. I broke mine and since it was a clean break, I welded the crap out of it. It broke in another place right beneath it. The less expensive answer is to replace the bracket with a new one from GM for 80 bucks. They no longer sell the old style. The replacements are all updated and are stronger by a mile.
When I built up my new motor, I asked Andy if I should get some upgrade and he said "not as long as you have the updated bracket. I have never had a customer break one "
I trusted him and kept my new bracket and have not had an issue. The more expensive answer is to get the one from ECS. Everybody's happy with it.
When I built up my new motor, I asked Andy if I should get some upgrade and he said "not as long as you have the updated bracket. I have never had a customer break one "
I trusted him and kept my new bracket and have not had an issue. The more expensive answer is to get the one from ECS. Everybody's happy with it.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,599
Likes: 1,225
From: Providing the most proven supercharger kits for your C5/6/7 609-752-0321
I have broke several of the new GM brackets, especially with Prochargers since they have more drag. If your not hard on it the GM unit will work, if you use to it's capabilities you will appreciate doing it right the first time. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,089
Likes: 4
From: Ocala FL
welding the bracket. First its not strong enough to begin with. Second when you weld it it will warp some and the alignment of the idler can and most likely will change. Last is when you weld the bracket you soften and weaken the aluminum material allot and instead of just breaking it will bend some first and create a alignment issue that may have you looking elseware for your possible future belt issue. Either use the late model or the best solution is the ECS unit which is much
stronger and won't bend or break even with a 10 rib belt.
stronger and won't bend or break even with a 10 rib belt.
I know the P/S bracket did warp (from welding) because it was hard to put back on - bracket holes didn't want to line up with the head/block holes (wasn't sure why at the time).
It's been working for a few years, but if I ever have to work on it again I'll upgrade.
Also, S-trim is a low hp blower and doesn't stress the FEAD very much.
Thanks for the good advice.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 367
Likes: 3
From: maple grove and North Port fl mn and now florida
Broke my 2000 unit 2 weeks after the 8 rib D1SC went on. Put the GM replacement and no problems in 3000 miles. Wished I had known about this problem when I had the LS1 out and Tthe LS7 in, would have saved some knuckles. Cheers
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 111
My '99 bracket broke a few months ago. My car has an F1R Procharger and an 8-rib pulley setup. I went with the new style GM bracket as well and all is good so far.
Just some considerations....
If you go with the new GM bracket, you'll likely have to pull the PS pump and disconnect the lines from the rack. You'll also have to pull the PS pulley from the pump to get the bracket off the pump.
Also, the 6.0 liter iron blocks have different holes on the front of the block, so be aware of this if you choose one of the aftermarket solutions.
Just some considerations....
If you go with the new GM bracket, you'll likely have to pull the PS pump and disconnect the lines from the rack. You'll also have to pull the PS pulley from the pump to get the bracket off the pump.
Also, the 6.0 liter iron blocks have different holes on the front of the block, so be aware of this if you choose one of the aftermarket solutions.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
Thanks guys for the feedback.
If i go with the ecs unit do i still have to change the broken alternator/power steer pump bracket or does the new pulley bolt onto the head/block assembly ??
Excuse the ie ignorance guys but i am in australia and c5/6 vettes are as rare as rocking horse sh-t.
Peter....down under
If i go with the ecs unit do i still have to change the broken alternator/power steer pump bracket or does the new pulley bolt onto the head/block assembly ??
Excuse the ie ignorance guys but i am in australia and c5/6 vettes are as rare as rocking horse sh-t.
Peter....down under
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,089
Likes: 4
From: Ocala FL
Thanks guys for the feedback.
If i go with the ecs unit do i still have to change the broken alternator/power steer pump bracket or does the new pulley bolt onto the head/block assembly ??
Excuse the ie ignorance guys but i am in australia and c5/6 vettes are as rare as rocking horse sh-t.
Peter....down under
If i go with the ecs unit do i still have to change the broken alternator/power steer pump bracket or does the new pulley bolt onto the head/block assembly ??
Excuse the ie ignorance guys but i am in australia and c5/6 vettes are as rare as rocking horse sh-t.
Peter....down under
Click on the link below and scroll down through the instructions:
http://www.eastcoastsupercharging.co...idler_kit.html
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 111
No, you just need to break the bracket off clean where the idler used to connect so that there is room to mount the new idler bracket to the block.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,276
Likes: 227
From: Farmington CT
Cruise-In VII Veteran
03/4 bracket is basically 'flipped' in the cast near the pulley
I prepped an '03 for the pulley once installing the paxton kit, didn't find it in the parts box w/ the kit; I learned after a phone call about the newer style bracket
I prepped an '03 for the pulley once installing the paxton kit, didn't find it in the parts box w/ the kit; I learned after a phone call about the newer style bracket