European Alternator/Power Steering Bracket

[DieselScout]

Anyone use the European version (Upper Driver side of engine) of the alternator bracket?

Does it also hold the power steering pump?

[BogfordGarage]

Yes just below the alternator on the same bracket.

[DieselScout]

Do you know the part number?

[BogfordGarage]

The Volvo PN should be: 3507039 I'll double check that it's not different for one with AC but I think that's a separate bracket.
Edit: (Separate bracket for the AC compressor)

[DieselScout]

Any idea about it's durability?

The North American bracket has a tendency to crack in half over time.

Is the European bracket less durable (due to holding the alternator and PS pump), about the same or better?

[BogfordGarage]

Funny you should mention that. As long as the belts are not over tightened and all the correct fixings are in place and working when you adjust the belts it's great, no ware over time as such.
However, I have broken one before when I first got my 940 somone had broken the alternator tensioning bolt, this meant using a bar to get the belt tight and I did break the bracket right in the middle trying to do this one day.
Since then I've replaced the bracket and made my own adjustment bolt and it's been fine. I think being only cast aluminium it can only take so much abuse.

[RedArrow]

About the US versions of the PS bracket..

New bushings for these brackets are super cheap, still easily available today nearly everywhere... and they should be replaced on a regular basis (also it is very easy to do).

Brackets that broke were mostly probably either overtightened, incorrectly installed (wrong kind of belts, too tight belts, installed in misaligned positions, or both of those) also the rubber perhaps already hardened to the point where it did not support enough -or nothing at all-- it could not do its job to protect from excessive vibration we have in/around these engines.

It is true that they should have been much beefier at the first place... bad design but you can possibly box it up on the rear to reinforce them, or purchase a new, redesigned, upgraded bracket from Mr Tom Bryant in Maine. Those will outlive the engine for sure.

Alternator bushings are also available.


About the EU version of the PS system...

For obvious reasons, it was a smart idea from the designers to have the alternator/generator positioned higher than in the case of our US version.


Would be nice from now on to not let any of the eu alternator brackets and EU ps brackets reach any of the junkyards there..
Volvo owners and EU breakers, please keep those items and list them on eb/\y etc.

[v8volvo]

^^ Good points above on the bushings and Tom B's improved stock-style US spec brackets.

Regarding the use of the non-US late-style bracket: I like the idea of them, too (nice to keep that alternator away from the grime and heat low down on the engine especially near the turbo on a D24T, and the late style PS pump with remote reservoir would be nice also).

However -- I hate to rain on the parade here -- but I don't think that bracket was ever used on a 200 series diesel unless someone can correct me. I believe they existed on the late 7 and 9 series diesels (both D24, D24T, D24TIC) but since the 200 series uses reversed radiator connections and the upper rad hose needs to wrap around the front of the engine right where the alt would go, I believe the old style bracket systems were used thru end of production and they never moved to the revised system.

Someone overseas or with access to a VADIS catalog could confirm or contradict me on that. But I believe it would be a challenge to make one work on a 240, at least without also having to make various other changes to the cooling system not to mention underhood wiring, PS plumbing, etc. And different PS pump and alternator to match the updated bracket. A big job in other words. Maybe still worth it, but more involved than just sourcing the newer bracket PN.

[ngoma]

Originally Posted by DieselScout

The North American bracket has a tendency to crack in half over time.

No, not from time but from improper care taken to tighten the bolts in the correct order, and renewing the bushings when necessary, as stated above.