original equipment on golfs and jettas 85-92.  the system does have a weak
link.  when the gear rusts to the bolt 'shaft', it won't turn independently
of the bolt.  then if you keep trying to unscrew it and you get to the
end of the rack the teeth shear off the gear where it engages with the
rack teeth.  it seems that the rack teeth are made to a higher rockwell
hardness than the wheel gear teeth.  i give mine a regular treatment of
anti-seize when i am in that location.

jonathan

On Sat, 21 Mar 2009, David Beierl wrote:

> Some PO or mechanic of my "new" beast welded a small rack on the slot
> in the alternator adjusting strap.  It mates with a hex-headed pinion
> that rotates on the clamping bolt.  Turns tensioning the alternator
> belt into something your six-year-old could do without breaking a
> sweat.  No idea what it engine/vehicle came from originally, but it's
> sweet.  Nice welding job, too.
>
> I'm not as fond of some of the *other* things that were done to the
> engine wiring.  Likely not the same fella.
>
> --
> David Beierl - Providence RI USA -- http://pws.prserv.net/synergy/Vanagon/
> '89 Po' White Star "Scamp"
>
>
>