Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Diesel Discussion

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 08-10-2011, 11:14 PM
Fattyman's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Left Coast
Posts: 547
The joy of replacing an alternator bracket!

My wife's '83 300 TD needed an alternator. No biggy. One hour job. Oops, the alternator bracket is broken. One day later still not finished. What were they thinking when they put that extra bolt up front just below the water pump housing? Off comes the fan, then the water pump and housing. Now you can get to the bolt. A deep offset 17mm might have worked but I digress. Lets not forget we have to move an AC hose out of the way which is also connected to the oil pan. What's that hissing noise? AC coolant Did I say oil pan? That's where the turbo oil return tube goes, good thing, we have to take that off too and get it out of the way of the bracket. More parts to order. Water pump (while I'm there) associated gaskets for pump and housing. New O rings for the turbo drain back tube. Did I mention you have to cut the grommet out of the oil pan to get the lower tube out? Oh, the joy!

__________________
'70 F100 shortbed
'82 Diesel Westy
'83 Euro 300TD
Curtlo Viper
Yeti ARC
Surly long haul trucker

Last edited by Fattyman; 08-10-2011 at 11:31 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 08-10-2011, 11:46 PM
::matthew's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Posts: 594
that front bolt is completely useless. the main bolt going through the alt broke off on mine. After I figured out how much a pain it would be to remove the bracket, I went to plan B. luckily I was able to drill out the remnants of the bolt.
The are a lot of well designed components under the hood of our cars, but the alternator isn't one of them.
__________________
1985 300D cali 190K

http://mercedes.thatchermathias.com/mw300d.jpg
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 08-11-2011, 12:27 AM
MBeige's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SoCal
Posts: 3,746
This was the reason we had to replace the bracket on mine.



My retired mechanic was able to replace it w/ no problems. We also changed the belts, fixed some oil seals (leaks), changed oil and a few more knick-knacks here and there. A good used bracket my mechanic had (w/ all fasteners included) was installed. I bought a new L bolt but that was not necessary since the bracket came with one.

Attached Thumbnails
The joy of replacing an alternator bracket!-5859318594_2966963c74_z.jpg   The joy of replacing an alternator bracket!-5859321308_dc19f20a9a_z.jpg  

Last edited by whunter; 08-11-2011 at 12:42 AM. Reason: attached pictures
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 08-11-2011, 12:29 AM
::matthew's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Posts: 594
the top part is a breeze pat, but the bottom bracket, that's cast aluminum and is attached to the block, is not.
__________________
1985 300D cali 190K

http://mercedes.thatchermathias.com/mw300d.jpg
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 08-11-2011, 12:38 AM
Diesel911's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Long Beach,CA
Posts: 51,038
Great Job; but I know someone would like to see detailed pics of the job/struggle.
__________________
84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 08-11-2011, 12:48 AM
Fulcrum525's Avatar
Sing Blue Silver
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: CT
Posts: 2,117
It's always the little things that cause the biggest headaches isn't it.....

(I'm struggling with a door lock right now because of one small disconnected plastic piece....)
__________________
1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 08-11-2011, 01:22 AM
whunter's Avatar
Moderator
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Metro Detroit, Michigan
Posts: 17,416
FYI

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fattyman View Post
My wife's '83 300 TD needed an alternator. No biggy. One hour job. Oops, the alternator bracket is broken. One day later still not finished. What were they thinking when they put that extra bolt up front just below the water pump housing? Off comes the fan, then the water pump and housing. Now you can get to the bolt. A deep offset 17mm might have worked but I digress. Lets not forget we have to move an AC hose out of the way which is also connected to the oil pan. What's that hissing noise? AC coolant Did I say oil pan? That's where the turbo oil return tube goes, good thing, we have to take that off too and get it out of the way of the bracket. More parts to order. Water pump (while I'm there) associated gaskets for pump and housing. New O rings for the turbo drain back tube. Did I mention you have to cut the grommet out of the oil pan to get the lower tube out? Oh, the joy!
Granted, the single front bolt is tough to access.

I find it easier/faster to pull the harmonic balancer for this job.



.
Attached Thumbnails
The joy of replacing an alternator bracket!-om617_alternator-bracket-graphic_6171550535.jpg   The joy of replacing an alternator bracket!-om617_harmonic-balancer-graphic_6170300530_qwxpozl.jpg  
__________________
ASE Master Mechanic
asemastermechanic@juno.com

Prototype R&D/testing:
Thermal & Aerodynamic System Engineering (TASE) Senior vehicle instrumentation technician.
Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH).
Dynamometer.
Heat exchanger durability.
HV-A/C Climate Control.
Vehicle build.
Fleet Durability
Technical Quality Auditor.
Automotive Technical Writer

1985 300SD
1983 300D
1984 190D
2003 Volvo V70
2002 Honda Civic

https://www.boldegoist.com/
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 08-11-2011, 10:40 AM
disqo's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: High Point, NC
Posts: 581
Been there, done that, hoping to never have todo it again. I really despise that front bolt...
__________________
1985 Euro 300TD Turbo
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 08-11-2011, 12:26 PM
1980sd's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Elavil, Ga.
Posts: 910
Why are there AC lines in that area anyway?
__________________
My occupational hazard bein'
my occupation's just not around...
1980 300SD
1980 300SD
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 08-11-2011, 01:35 PM
toomany MBZ's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: central Va
Posts: 7,820
The AC compressor is on the left side of the engine and the evaporator is located under the dash on the right side of the car.
__________________
83 SD

84 CD
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 08-11-2011, 04:47 PM
zeke's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: The Alamo City, TEXAS
Posts: 1,189
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fattyman View Post
My wife's '83 300 TD needed an alternator. No biggy. One hour job. Oops, the alternator bracket is broken. One day later still not finished. What were they thinking when they put that extra bolt up front just below the water pump housing? Off comes the fan, then the water pump and housing. Now you can get to the bolt. A deep offset 17mm might have worked but I digress. Lets not forget we have to move an AC hose out of the way which is also connected to the oil pan. What's that hissing noise? AC coolant Did I say oil pan? That's where the turbo oil return tube goes, good thing, we have to take that off too and get it out of the way of the bracket. More parts to order. Water pump (while I'm there) associated gaskets for pump and housing. New O rings for the turbo drain back tube. Did I mention you have to cut the grommet out of the oil pan to get the lower tube out? Oh, the joy!
Hey I am right with ya right now. Red 240D had a spent alt. belt, so had to remove all of em (might as well replace all belts while they are out...oops time to get the kids to bed....Ok day 2, s@#t, stripped the nut on the adjustment bolt, time to feed the kids.....ok day 3....ahh got the nut off, bracket is clear, got the adjustment bolt out and since it was rusted and bent, dropped in the replacement from the dealership. Ok, time to tighten the weird adjustment bolt. -- crap, cross threaded it while trying to get it into it's slot in the upper plate. So the car remains in the same state, and now I have to go to the UK on buisness, so wife's car will be sitting for a week!


sheesh. I hate that design. I feel ya!
__________________

Current Mercedes
1979 maple yellow 240D 4-speed


Gone and fondly remembered:
1980 orient red 240D 4-speed

Gone and NOT fondly remembered:
1982 Chna Blue 300TD

Other car in the stable:
2013 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI / 6-speed MT
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 08-11-2011, 06:01 PM
Fattyman's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Left Coast
Posts: 547
Quote:
Originally Posted by Diesel911 View Post
Great Job; but I know someone would like to see detailed pics of the job/struggle.
All done, apologized to the neighbors for the foul language. Had to struggle with the turbo oil return tube to get them back home. You have to be smarter than the parts!
Pictures would have been a good idea but the thought of dropping tools and picking up a camera with greasy hands did not cross my mind.
Plenty of other things did though!
The AC hose over on that side goes over to the drier behind the right headlight.
I replaced the water pump because it was showing it's age and I was taking it off anyway
Happy wife, Happy life.............For now
__________________
'70 F100 shortbed
'82 Diesel Westy
'83 Euro 300TD
Curtlo Viper
Yeti ARC
Surly long haul trucker
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 02-09-2012, 10:32 AM
t walgamuth's Avatar
dieselarchitect
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Lafayette Indiana
Posts: 38,611
I feel your pain!

OTOH the bracket did last 28 years and most folks never have to change it.

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:04 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page