alternator alignment

bimmer30 · 07-31-2011, 04:27 PM

how do you make a proper alignment if your alternator and pulley are not straight while the belt spins. I encoutered this problem because my alternator alignment is off and i personally shredded 2 belts in the span of a month! Can someone tell me how to fix the alignment on the pulley which is against the front of the alternator so that while the belt spins it is straight against the pulley?

here is a link of my problem:
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_0070.jpg

as u can see the belt is not moving straight against the pulley

Ceeker · 07-31-2011, 05:20 PM

Does the pulley wobble when spinning? if not then you have to make sure the mating surface of the alt body and bracket which is bolts to are true-flat. If there is play and you tighten down the adjuster bolt etc it may bolt crooked and cause misalignment. Keep in mind you have two pulleys so if one or both are off and only correct one you still have the other to address. So make sure none of your pulleys wobble; check to make sure your waterpump pulley is also bolted down flat.

Take a complete pic of the upper bracket so I can see. Looks to me your upper bracket isn't good. the right side needs to be visible.

bimmer30 · 07-31-2011, 05:51 PM

how do you know ? will that work? you had experience?

bimmer30 · 07-31-2011, 06:07 PM

Ceeker · 07-31-2011, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bimmer30

how do you know ? will that work? you had experience?

what do you mean...how do I know? just look at the set up. it's like squaring a door. You need one true surface to work from to get the door square. if one is off everything will be off. I don't know if it will work..if all the components are original and nothing has been swapped then most likely. but if not, then its hit and miss.

the alt looks crooked, it isn't the alt in most likely hood, so it must be the bracket and the way it is mounted. that is why I asked you to take a complete pic so I can see it. But not 100% until I see the "whole" picture. I can work from there. if the alt housing has been hammered on where the bolts go through then they won't mount flat and does makes it crooked.

the other thing you can do after posting the pic is take it apart and inspect the play on the mating parts.

ok, I just noticed you put some pics up. I checked

how much play does the bottom mounting bracket to the alt have. is there lots of space between the alt bolt holes and the bracket?
It looks to me that either you need to put a couple washers on to straighten it or perhaps the bolt holes on the bracket or alt are worn oval. allowing it to sit crooked. Take it apart and inspect your parts making sure they are mating correctly. You might need to improvise to get them to line up by shimming it. As I said, hit and miss. You'll be able to eye it once it's together. but make sure things are tight first.

Ceeker · 07-31-2011, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bimmer30

how do you know ? will that work? you had experience?

any luck?

E36is · 08-01-2011, 07:00 AM

i also have that problem with my e30. the alternator is tweaked at an angle, but fortunately has not shredded the new belt as of yet. I have looked at it and the problem i have is that the rubber bushing need to be replaced (top and bottom). and i have also noticed that the top adjustment bracket is pretty flimsy.

Ceeker · 08-01-2011, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E36is

i also have that problem with my e30. the alternator is tweaked at an angle, but fortunately has not shredded the new belt as of yet. I have looked at it and the problem i have is that the rubber bushing need to be replaced (top and bottom). and i have also noticed that the top adjustment bracket is pretty flimsy.

You may also run into wearing the bearing out eventually due to the uneven pull of the belt. sooner or later it will give problems. :-)

bimmer30 · 08-01-2011, 08:44 PM

rubber bushing? who says theres rubber bushing there are 4 bolts that hold the alternator with washers and the pulley has a washer inside,.. i do not see rubber anywhere E36is

Ceeker · 08-01-2011, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bimmer30

rubber bushing? who says theres rubber bushing there are 4 bolts that hold the alternator with washers and the pulley has a washer inside,.. i do not see rubber anywhere E36is

some alts come with rubber bushings to absorb the vibration. He may just have them. However, go through what I said earlier. check for fitment and alignment.. yours is a M42 engine so it has 4 nuts/bolts. 2 upper 2 lower; the M20 has two nuts and bolts. don't make things complicated. just follow what I said..something will show up that isn't up to par.

E36is · 08-02-2011, 07:55 AM

yup, my eta has bushings top and bottom and they have disintegrated and yea im playing with fire and should get them changed up. Ceeker, any recommendations on where to get these bushings locally?

Ceeker · 08-02-2011, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E36is

yup, my eta has bushings top and bottom and they have disintegrated and yea im playing with fire and should get them changed up. Ceeker, any recommendations on where to get these bushings locally?

check this: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...21&hg=12&fg=21

Is this what you need? These are e36 alt bracket bushings. I couldn't locate eta ones.

I can't seen to locate the part numbers but if you were to hit the dealership I'm sure they could order them.