hey Lar -   email lister Dave obrien.. he has a 87 westy and had the same
problem as you...but he devised a reinforcement for the alt bracket and hasnt had
a problem since.
his email-
    dnd.obryan@comcast.net

good luck-
chris

..
In a message dated 1/29/06 11:56:43 AM Eastern Standard Time,
roadguy@ROADHAUS.COM writes:

> Volks,
>
> Alernator Brackets and Alernators.
>
> Yesterday when I installed a new alternator ... I found that I also had
> another "broken alternator
> bracket".
>
> Part #: 025.903.141C
>
> Fortunatley I had a spare.
>
> This was the 6th broken bracket in 3 years.
>
> Several VW shops and I have tried to figure out the root cause of this
> problem withiout success.
>
> Observation:
>
> Comparing the new Bosh Rebuilt Alternator with the old one, I noticed that
> the base of the new alternator that
> fits into the alternator bracket (where the long bolt goes thru) was
> significantly wider than the old unit. So much so that I had to file a tiny
> bit of material off to get it to fit. The difference btween the new and old
> alternators was 1/8" - 1/16".
>
> Hypothesis:
>
> Since the base on the old unit was narrower ... There might have been a
> little slop when the alternator bracket was tightened down. Perhaps enough
> to allow some misalignment and/or vibration.
>
> I'm wondering if perhaps this is what may have caused 6 brackets to break in
> 3 years.
>
> What are your thoughts?
>
>
> larry chase
> www.roadhaus.com