"190e30-Now with COSWORTH" (190e30)
12/26/2013 at 22:32 • Filed to: None
1
6|
"190e30-Now with COSWORTH" (190e30)
12/26/2013 at 22:32 • Filed to: None | 1
| 6 |
I was just tightening up the belt on the alternator of the Audi so it would stop making noise, and found this. It's like a little gear system, rather than using a screwdriver to pry the alternator away, you just twist it up the teeth. Very cool, good design work Audi.
Ian Duer (320b)
> 190e30-Now with COSWORTH
12/26/2013 at 22:35 |
|
I love finding little things like that on cars. Lets you know the engineers were thinking beyond "will it go together once nicely."
Destructive Tester
> 190e30-Now with COSWORTH
12/26/2013 at 23:41 |
|
While it's better than just using the screwdriver pry bar method, that seems a bit over-engineered when a jack screw (Subaru) or even a spring tensioner (Ford for frack's sake) would do.
|
190e30-Now with COSWORTH
> Destructive Tester
12/26/2013 at 23:48 |
|
Fair. Let's also remember this is an early-'90s Audi. I was shocked to find anything easy and straightforward, although the car really hasn't been that bad to me.
|
Destructive Tester
> 190e30-Now with COSWORTH
12/27/2013 at 01:24 |
|
Good point and just another example of German over-engineering...
NinetyQ
> 190e30-Now with COSWORTH
12/27/2013 at 01:37 |
|
It is an awesome setup.
...until one day you forget to undo the bottom bolt and just go to town on it and totally strip out the teeth. Now I have to use a crowbar to wedge it into place. I'd like to replace that bracket and gear sometime.
|
NinetyQ
> Destructive Tester
12/27/2013 at 01:39 |
|
I own a '91 Audi with the same setup and it's not really over-engineered; just clever. It's a single toothed bracket bolted to the engine block and a geared bolt that goes through it. You loosen the bottom alternator mount, then turn the gear, and it adjusts the tension. Then just tighten the bottom bolt. It's quite handy for fine-tuning the tension.