Broken W/P bolts

[tking]

A friend of mine has a 1st gen. and about 2 years ago he replaced the water pump. He may have also replaced the serp. belt tensioner and belt at the same time, he cannot remember.



Since that time (only about 5000mi) the upper w/p bolt has broken off at least twice maybe 3 times. Anybody else seen this?



Maybe his tensioner has too much tension (probably aftermarket knowing him) or the belt is too short? Or is there a issue w/ the bolts? Need to use special ones?

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

Wow, that's a bit of a mystery... .



There are, I believe, only two options re: belts.

One is for trucks with AC and the other, without AC. You won't have much luck interchanging them as far as I know... .

Is the routing correct??? There is a picture of the routing on the underside edge of the hood near the latch.

I really don't know what else may be causing this... . we need to get the other First genners in here... ...



HEY GUYS... . WHAT'S UP WITH THIS... . ?????





Bob.

 

[Philip]

BW I have no idea why he is breaking bolts. My thoughts are.



Poor quality bolts.



Improper bolt torque.



Belt tensioner going bad and not keeping enough tension on the drive belt. This would allow the belt to whip and cause vibration.



These shouldn't be special bolts. Any grade 5 bolt should work with no problem.

 

[SnoDawg]

Originally posted by BushWakr

Wow, that's a bit of a mystery... .



There are, I believe, only two options re: belts.

One is for trucks with AC and the other, without AC. You won't have much luck interchanging them as far as I know... .



I am currently running a non A/C belt on my 93 due to a pulley misalignment on my A/C compressor ( I think it has been replaced with the wrong one and who needs AC in Alaska anyway) it has been installed for about a week sand I have not had any problems yet. Probably jinxed myself now... .....

 

[paccool]

I'm like Philip, improper bolt torque could be the problem. Especially in a situation where they are hot and then cold many times. The service manual says torque should be 18 ft/lbs. Thats not much guys. You can get more than that with just a small wrench. Get new bolts and install with a torque wrench.

 

[mopar2ya]

BROKEN BOLTS

hey, the only trouble i have ever had , eas the bolts backing out, thats how i lost my first pump,ear broke off,cleaned the bolts good and added thread locker, stopped the trouble. enjoy

 

[tking]

Thanks for the help guys.



I'll get some good bolts and make sure there torqued right and ck the tensioner.

 

[Paychk]

One other thought about the tensioner, there is a locating tang on the back of it and it needs to seat into a hole on the front of the motor. Could be it isn't where it needs to be and is cocking the tensioner causing the bolt to break over time?