How important is this alternator bracket?

[MLB]

As per title, I'm trying to work out how to refit the ac system on my RS2 fitted Clio 182, which means moving the alternator back up.

The mounting bracket with the tensioner snuggly fits, but the side bracket does not as it will hit the RS2.

How important is it? Can I just leave it out?

Tensioner fits

Side bracket does not

 

[Trackslag172]

I ran mine without it after fitting the SM inlet, it did break 2 alternator mounts though but mine was a track car on VERY stiff suspension.

 

[MLB]

Hm that doesn't sound very confidence inspiring. Did that mean aux belt came off potentially taking other stuff with it? Or just replace the bracket which takes ten minutes?

 

[Trackslag172]

Just replaced the bracket, luckily the alternator stayed in position as it was done up so tight.

I went with the cup alternator set up in the end, no need to worry about it then

 

[MLB]

I've got the cup setup now, but would like to put the compressor back on to get the airconditioning working again.

Thanks for the info!

 

[Robbie Corbett]

Got a side on pic mate? Wondering how much it fouls by, could it be ground back to you think for clearance? I personally would not run without it simple as it aux belt related.

Another alternative might be to get one made up out of tube...

 

[scullyg40]

Don't know how important it is, but by the looks of it, it is meant to take axial loads, as in 90 degrees to the belt.

 

[MLB]

I'll try to get a pic if I can, but it basically has to go straight through the RS2 inlet to fit.

Tube or maybe even metal wire might be an option, just not very professional looking

@scullyg40 it does look like that, but I just wonder how much axial load there will be (enough apparently for Renault to put the bracket in!).

 

[Robbie Corbett]

Not sure what you mean by metal wire?

I don't think its an axial load. The tensioner and pulleys are not on the centre line of the pivot so they will be trying to twist the bracket. The arm is likely stopping this, or Renault thought the bracket might fatigue over time and fail.

You might get away with grinding the boss back and using a 5mm thick (or as thick as you can manage) steel drop bracket. Tube could be made to look really neat but you would need to find someone who could bend it nicely and would be an expensive faf.

 

[MLB]

Just use some thick wire to strap it down around the air inlet in the direction of where the bracket goes.

I'd say it's probably avoiding stress and fatigue as I've seen pictures of the RS2 installed without the bracket so it'll work, question is how long.

I'm not sure what you mean by grinding the boss back and how to fit a drop bracket? Would that connect between the two original points (alternator and engine block) but just around the RS2?

 

[MLB]

Ah and found a picture from the side.

Red is where the side bracket attaches to the alternator bracket. Green is where it has to go straight through the RS2.

 

[Robbie Corbett]

I don't know if this is feasible but you might be able to get away with bolting the one side onto the head and rotating it round until it just touches the intake then grind the boss flat (because it will now be at an angle - red) then make a little plate up with two holes in it to join the strap to the bracket. Would have to be a fairly stiff plate and as short as possible however it would probably work well enough and wouldn't look awful.

 

[Robbie Corbett]

Hmm just seen you pic able - would need to close bonnet before making the plate to make sure it will still close, be awful to go to all the hassle of making something up only to find you needed to cut a hole in the bonnet haha.

 

[MLB]

Going up and over isn't an option anyway I think, not in the same direction as the standard bracket points downwards towards the engine block.

I have had a look though and it won't need much strength I'd say, just a piece of metal to stabilise the whole thing.

Maybe I can get something made up to go underneath in like a big stretched u shape bracket.

 

[Robbie Corbett]

Yea that sounds like a nice plan.

 

[MLB]

Well I was thinking of the easy way out and going the other way and attach it together with the ac pipes but that's obviously not going to work with engine movement!

Thanks for the help and ideas, much appreciated!

 

[dawgtired]

I'm using this setup with eps. dci alternator bracket, cut down ac bracket, ford transit adjuster and a bracket I made that fits to the top ac pump mounts.
All works fine and easy to adjust

 

[MLB]

That looks like it could work very well indeed! And it does away with the standard tensioner as well.

This sits underneath an RS2 inlet and clears it well?

I've found the transit adjuster on ebay, just not sure what other brackets you've used, the standard mounting bracket for the ac compressor or is that where you've used the dci one, is that this one? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/233209107941

 

[dawgtired]

I cut the alt bracket off the A/C mount, used the transit bracket in the pic and made the other bracket from 25x 6mm steel bar

 

[dawgtired]

I cut the alt bracket off the A/C mount, used the transit bracket in the pic and made the other bracket from 25x 6mm steel bar
View attachment 1490142View attachment 1490143View attachment 1490144

The dci bracket I think is the same as the cup one (see pic)

 

[MLB]

Great info, thank you very much, definitely need to have a look at this altough I'd need someone to make that steel bar bracket for me!

 

[dawgtired]

I'll draw a sketch of dimensions tomorrow and post it, only two bits

 

[MLB]

Brilliant thank you very much!

 

[dawgtired]

These are the basic measurements I used, the 8mm hole in the upright put where's best when you try it on.