I thought about welding it, but decided I didn't want to mess with a part
that involves studs that are (a) difficult to access and (b) are part of the
engine.  I really don't want to introduce anything that might eventually
damage these and maybe result in a horrorshow donwn the line.  In fact, I
thought about this, then decided to search the archives to see if I could
find any more info, and came up with a couple of interesting postings that
seemed to confirm my paranoia:

>>> Posting number 103652, dated 30 Jun 1999 23:23:58
I tried welding mine, but the metal is thick enough that it's
difficult to get enough penetration, and as a result, it cracked
again. I would have been far ahead of the game to simply replace the
bugger. Besides, the new one is updated in some way (thicker maybe?)
and uses a new pinch bolt with a higher torque spec, which is
supposed to prevent this problem from happening again.

>>> Posting number 103766, dated 2 Jul 1999 11:25:20
I just got my van back from my mechanic.  I had broken the alternator
bracket about three months ago.  I welded it back together and reinstalled
it.  One Month later the bolts that attach the bracket to the engine case
broke off.  then  I had to tap out the bolts and I was stupid enough to
reinstall the welded bracket with slightly larger bolts.  last week the
bolts snapped again taking little chuck of the case with them.  I finally
concluded that the  welded bracket wasn't completely flush with the engine
case and the tension of the alternator was more than the bolts would stand.
I bought  a new bracket at dealer ($24) and my mechanic was able to do a
weld repair to the case. and re-attach.  I pray the case will hold okay.
from my point of view I should have spent that 24 bucks long ago.

----- Original Message -----
From: Karl M <thewestyman@mindspring.com>
To: lp <lphm@HOTMAIL.COM>; <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: May 12, 2000 12:54 PM
Subject: Re: alternator bracket

> Why not have it welded?
>
> ----- Original Message -----
>
> > I have a cracked, nearly broken alternator bracket (Bosch 90 amp alt,
1.9
> > engine, if it makes any diff.  This is the cradle bracket, not the other
> > straight arm thingy bracket)
> >
> > It's $63 Cdn from the dealer
>
>
>