97 7.3 front engine bracket problem
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,177
Likes: 40
From: Newport, WA
I have a spare as well, I'd have to look it over a bit closer but it appears to be in good shape.
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,630
Likes: 217
From: North East Ohio
That bracket on my '96 failed when it was 6 years old, probably only had 60k miles on it. No idea why, but it happended when I was 5 minutes from home when the day before I was 2 hours away. All of a sudden I lost brakes and steering. Pulled over and saw belt was still there but everything was loose. I pulled the belt off and just drove home watching the coolent temp climb a little. 
At the time I opted to get a new one from Ford as I couldn't find a used one (back in '02, not too many people on the boards back then with these parts) and it was pricey. I have since talked with several welders who say there's no problem welding it up.
At the time I opted to get a new one from Ford as I couldn't find a used one (back in '02, not too many people on the boards back then with these parts) and it was pricey. I have since talked with several welders who say there's no problem welding it up.
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'96 7.3 F-350 Reg Cab 4x4 - bought new.
'04 6.0 E-350 custom 4x4
'08 6.4 F-550 Reg Cab 6 spd 4x4
'17 6.7 F-250 KR ccsb 4x4
'96 7.3 F-350 Reg Cab 4x4 - bought new.
'04 6.0 E-350 custom 4x4
'08 6.4 F-550 Reg Cab 6 spd 4x4
'17 6.7 F-250 KR ccsb 4x4
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,171
Likes: 20
From: Denton, TX
Bringing this thread from the dead…mine just broke this morning. The bolt that goes through the bracket and threads into the pump broke, overloading the casting at the other two bolt locations. New bracket will cost two and a half. Ouch. Fords parts guy gave me the same part number given in earlier posts. I found the bolt head in the driveway this morning but it didn't click what it was from. I had to cut some hardware from the truck recently and this looked about the same size and I just shrugged it off. Note to self, don't discount the importance of a random piece of hardware in your driveway.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,171
Likes: 20
From: Denton, TX
I sure appreciate the offer! If I had a little more time I'd wait, but I just don't. If you are interested in selling one I might keep it on hand to ensure I never need one again.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,171
Likes: 20
From: Denton, TX
Laid a 2x4 onto folded rags on each fender, removed the 4 bolts holding the AC pump and tied it up with wire so the lines would be moved as little as possible. This also made for a helpful arm rest and leaning point. Removed the vacuum pump and the bracket in this picture. I guess I'll change the power steering pump, it has 170k miles on it, and it will never get any easier than now to do so as I have to pull the pulley to put on the new bracket.
Broken bracket. With the inner bolt snapping, and the pull of the belt and resistance of the pump pry the pump body away from the bracket putting a bending force into the bracket. This seems to be the only bolt that is under tension. I'll go back with grade 8 bolts, and will torque this one bolt to the low end of the recommended value and use loctite on all three.
Broken bracket. With the inner bolt snapping, and the pull of the belt and resistance of the pump pry the pump body away from the bracket putting a bending force into the bracket. This seems to be the only bolt that is under tension. I'll go back with grade 8 bolts, and will torque this one bolt to the low end of the recommended value and use loctite on all three.
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