Mystery Part from Fan Housing Removal??

[ZCAT3]

I pulled the fan housing and alternator out today and this little part dropped out - see picture. It looks like it could sit in the groove I placed it mear on the bottom of the fan housing but I see no mention of this part anywhere in any of my technical manuals. Anyone know what this is? The alternator is almost brand new and looks to be in fine condition, so I doubt this came from there. Thanks - I will buy a beer for whomever knows what this thing is.

[john walker's workshop]

it's the key that keeps the fan from turning on the shaft. if it's loose in it's keyway, use a hammer and punch to make a punch mark on each side to help it stay in position while you install the fan.

[81 930]

Hi Bill,

That's the woodruff key that keeps the fan from spinning on the alternator shaft. Look closely at the alternator and you will see where it fits. Sorry I don't have a photo to show you.

Cheers,

[ZCAT3]

Thanks guys - I have seen woodruff keys before, but did not realize what I was looking at. It looks like I owe you both a beer.

[ausgezeichnet]

John Walker's Workshop,

Thanks for the tip on getting the woodruff key to stay in place. I must have tried 100 times to get that thing to stay in place. When I was not getting anywhere and getting frustrated, it dawned on me that may be I should check the archives. Put a dimple on each side and tried again. Success! Thanks again!

[audi2.7t]

Woodruff key.... that'll be a Corona please.... :-)

[sushinav]

In the days before great internet forums, I did this exact same thing the first time I pulled my alternator. It fell on the floor and I said "WTF is that?" Luckily, alternator in hand, the local NAPA guy clued me in. S'funny how history really does repeat itself.

[ipapilot]

Should have seen me trying to find that key one day when it jettisoned itself into a dark crevice on top of a cylinder. Took about 2 hours hunting with a magnet to track down that little fu**er......

[kqw]

Do you realize how lucky you were to have found that key?

[ipapilot]

That is exactly why I knew I could not let it defeat me! It was odd when it happened too because I didn't realize that was the mystery piece of metal I saw diving under the shroud. Few minutes later, after labeling the wiring I realized I was missing the key and that had to have been it!

[ErikT]

Same thing happened to me with my new rebuilt alternator. I just JB welded the key into the groove and pressed the fan on. Fits fine.

[ausgezeichnet]

I found a helpful hint in another post that said to put an indentation on each sideof the key with a punch to get the key to stay on place while you slipped the fan on. It worked great for me.