Genius? Or a disaster waiting to happen?

[rennch]

I've had some real issues with my main alternator/fan nut stripping. I've gone through 2 of them in the last two months. I think the threads on my alternator shaft aren't as great as they should be. However...as an emergency fix, I happened to find some internal engine parts, one of which had the correct threading and had a pinch bolt on it:



It's REALLY solid now, so I feel like it's a huge win. However...I'm concerned about the long-term effects of the centrifugal load that has now been exacerbated by the pinchbolt. Has anyone tried this...and to what avail?

Thanks!

mto

[motorcop]

Won't that throw the balance off and eventually cause a vibration?

[rennch]

That's the million dollar question, motorcop. I didn't feel it so far.

[dad911]

I'm no expert, but I would think the out of balance condition will accelerate the demise of the alternator bearings......

[crustychief]

Aren't those kind of balanced to begin with? Volkswagen and Porsche use them on the front spindles. I guess the only way to find out is to run it. The wheels do not turn as fast as the fan though.

[efhughes3]

That is plain dumb. Get a new alternator or repair the threads.

[rattlsnak]

Originally Posted by crustychief

Aren't those kind of balanced to begin with? Volkswagen and Porsche use them on the front spindles. I guess the only way to find out is to run it. The wheels do not turn as fast as the fan though.

They dont turn on the front wheels. They are attached to the spindles.. (which don't turn! )

I would think it would contribute to an out of balance condition as well.

[rennch]

I think I'll get some lead tape and layer it a bit on the opposite side to balance it. But I'm tired of dealing with stripped nuts.

[cgarr]

"as an emergency fix" why not but get it fixed and don't drive around like that too much. I had coat hangers holding my exhaust on my plane to get it home once.

[rennch]

Well, it was an emergency fix, but it seems like a better mousetrap, having the pinch bolt on there. No chance of it ever loosening or stripping.

[efhughes3]

Originally Posted by emptyo

Well, it was an emergency fix, but it seems like a better mousetrap, having the pinch bolt on there. No chance of it ever loosening or stripping.

Better mousetrap for a bad part, but 99.9999% of us can safely say we have never had to concern ourselves with a fan nut. This can, and should, be fixed. This is why 944's took a nosedive in value- too much deferred maintenance.

[Plecostomus]

Dr Ferdinand Porsche III, PhD would frown upon this malfeasance

[rennch]

Alright...noted. Thanks for the feedback, all!

[Hodgey]

...............definitely the latter.....


Neil

[Flieger]

The radius is not that large so the force won't be that great. If you had some machine to balance it you might be alright. It would be better to have something stronger than lead, though. More like welding something on there or glue since that does not warp anything.

Since it is not wide like a wheel a static balance would be fine.

[Flieger]

It would be better if you could make a set-screw or a through-hole in the shaft and insert a pin through it like a cotter pin on a wheel bearing.

[kidrock]

I cringed a little bit when I saw that.

[cgarr]

Originally Posted by kidrock

I cringed a little bit when I saw that.

Me too but that's the same thing holding your front wheels on too!

[john walker's workshop]

genius enough to get you home in pinch, but i wouldn't run it that way after i got home. the alternator turns a lot faster than the engine. the fix is another alternator, which now come with a coarse threaded shaft/nut.

[Quicksilver]

Originally Posted by cgarr

Me too but that's the same thing holding your front wheels on too!

It isn't spinning on the front front wheel though.