Bent my alternator bracket - should I be worried?
I have tried several different Mercedes "star" alternator bolts on my '78 300D and I just can't get them to work right - they will not tighten the belt enough. So, I have replaced the star bolt with a regular steel bolt, washers, and a nut from a hardware store (about the same size).
With a little leverage applied at the right place I was able to get the belt tight to FSM specs, but... I kept tightening the bolt/nut not realizing that I was bending the bracket in with the bolt. I stopped and everything seems tight and I drove the car for 750 miles w/o any loosening of the belt at all, but I have another 1400 miles to go to get home.
Should I be concerned that this 'fix' is going to give out on me?
And, can you still buy this bracket, or salvage item only?
ryan
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RG Newell
1984 300D
1972 250
1986 560SL
1991 300CE
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