simple fix for air cleaner bracket (pic)

[turbobenz]

in my expiierence it either breaks here, where the rubber mount nearest the firewall connects to the air cleaner bracket (ive had two different cars with the same failure) or where the bracket is welded together. This fixes the first failure i described.


Basicaly cut a piece of metal, mark where to drill a hole, drill it, run the bolt that bolts the bracket to the manifold through and hand tighten it. Then put the air cleaner back on loosley so that the other two mounts protrude through the bottom of the air cleaner. this will line everything up. then take a pencil and stick it throough the remaining hole and mark onto your new piece of metal so you know exactly where to drill a 7/32" size hole to screw your rubber mount into. if you use that size drill ad your piece of metal is mild steel you should be able to thread the rubber mount into the hole just like the other holes. after your rubber mount hole is drilled and you bolt your piece back in use loctite or it WILL loosen quickly from the incessant vibration.



Enjoy

[turbobenz]

pic

[vstech]

... let us know when it fails.
I'd like to see that last!

[GLIDEHM]

VSTECH,

I hope you read back through this topic! Didnt anyone ever bother to tell you, that if you cant say anything constructive or nice, simply keep your comments to yourself! Every post that I read you are always beating someone else's ideas down! How about simply not chiming in, or suggesting something that might work better! Just a thought! And while I'm at it, how about changing that animation by your name? Im sure that others agree even if they wont chime in!

[johnathan1]

Nothing wrong with that improvisation...that actually should work a lot better than the factory spot for the mount. Seems like the factory spot tends to "bend" the mount in the direction a little too much...probably putting unneeded stress on the welded rubber part causing early failure.

[vstech]

Originally Posted by GLIDEHM

VSTECH,

I hope you read back through this topic! Didnt anyone ever bother to tell you, that if you cant say anything constructive or nice, simply keep your comments to yourself! Every post that I read you are always beating someone else's ideas down! How about simply not chiming in, or suggesting something that might work better! Just a thought! And while I'm at it, how about changing that animation by your name? Im sure that others agree even if they wont chime in!

I really didn't mean to be critical! I seriously wanna know how long it will last! I have two broken brackets, I've contemplated welding a new ear on, attaching a reinforced ear, and other ideas. I've just never actually built anything to fix em.
I have seen some that build a bracket off the valve cover bolts and drill a hole in the air cleaner to give additional support that the rubber fails to do.
again. never gone ahead and built it.
I have set this thread to remind me when info is posted to it, and will follow with hope.

[vstech]

actually, looking at the picture, there is another bolt to the right of the one you used, could the bracket repair include that bolt as well for additional strength?
and sorry about the animated gif I use... I am a computer repair tech, and some customers really get to me...
I try to limit the # of replies I give with the sig included.
and several members have let me know the gif while funny, is kinda gross... sorry.

[Diesel911]

Originally Posted by vstech

actually, looking at the picture, there is another bolt to the right of the one you used, could the bracket repair include that bolt as well for additional strength?
and sorry about the animated gif I use... I am a computer repair tech, and some customers really get to me...
I try to limit the # of replies I give with the sig included.
and several members have let me know the gif while funny, is kinda gross... sorry.

Good observation!

[pawoSD]

We did the same thing on one of our SD's about a year ago, it last two weeks. Ended up just replacing the whole bracket with the heavy duty version. You appear to have used slightly thicker metal though, might last a bit longer.

[vstech]

Originally Posted by pawoSD

We did the same thing on one of our SD's about a year ago, it last two weeks. Ended up just replacing the whole bracket with the heavy duty version. You appear to have used slightly thicker metal though, might last a bit longer.

did you use both bolt holes? crud. I was really hoping this was a valid fix.

[Brad123D]

Originally Posted by GLIDEHM

VSTECH,

I hope you read back through this topic! Didnt anyone ever bother to tell you, that if you cant say anything constructive or nice, simply keep your comments to yourself! Every post that I read you are always beating someone else's ideas down! How about simply not chiming in, or suggesting something that might work better! Just a thought! And while I'm at it, how about changing that animation by your name? Im sure that others agree even if they wont chime in!

I'll chime in...I find that animation to be annoying also.

As to the original post...I don't know if that "fix" for the air cleaner problem will work either , but good for him for trying to do something about it. These cars are a learning process ...they are great cars but they are not perfect, and sometimes one has to go through some trial and error to fix the flaws.

I consider "vstech" to be a respected and valuable contributor to the forum but that post was not one of his best.

[sd300td]

Originally Posted by GLIDEHM

VSTECH,

I hope you read back through this topic! Didnt anyone ever bother to tell you, that if you cant say anything constructive or nice, simply keep your comments to yourself! Every post that I read you are always beating someone else's ideas down! How about simply not chiming in, or suggesting something that might work better! Just a thought! And while I'm at it, how about changing that animation by your name? Im sure that others agree even if they wont chime in!

You leave vstech alone. He means well and is an asset to this forum. These air cleaner brackets are probably the weakest link on a om617 powered w123. I've no doubt that he wants to be kept in the loop when he says "I want to see that last". We all want to see a fix that lasts...

[turbobenz]

I do know the other bolt is smaller and not as long but it probably couldn't hurt. If you know how to weld It may be worth doing this method and welding a bead around the piece of steel to double fasten it to the bracket but super heating any portion of this bracket will cause a weak spot which is why I recommend mechanical fasteners and loctite. There is really no way at all this could break. The only way for this to fail is if the bolt itself loosens but those bolts, when properly loctited in, withstand the vibrations better than the bracket themselves. IMO, this repair is superior to welding the actual piece (or this piece) back on because the weld bead is usually more brittle than the surrounding material (unless your a really good welder and have tig skills) and the vibration will cause a stress failure. However the one I welded last summer is still holding up but I really feel stupid for not realizing I can just drill a hole in the metal and do it this way. This is probably stronger than the original bracket. The bolt would have to snap off at the head for this to fail.



Added: The steel is eighth inch, almost twice as thick as the original bracket.


vstech, Ive posted several threads just like this with the intent of adding technical advice and tips to this forum. Its a little frustrating when the first reply shoots down my thread. I didn't have to stop working, boot up my computer, take pictures, get online, type up a large informative thread on a 3 inch wide keyboard, and upload pics through a slow satellite connection. Just be a little more positive thats all.



Its my dads car so If it does fail I'll update this thread.

[vstech]

thanks guys, I try.

[charmalu]

Unless the fix is a cold air intake with a K&N filter on the end.

Charlie