Alternator disaster

[architectboy]

Boy and Mikeybutch, I couldn't have put it better myself. There was no explanation of what caused the bolt to break, and no acknowledgement that it could relate to the service (I suppose doing so would be to admit some sort of liability, both for the repair costs and for any accident/trauma caused by the breakage). The cambelt was changed 2 years ago.

Personally I doubt that these bolts break often (the good members of the VWAUDI Forum would advise if they did) and so mine must have been subject to unusual strain, Whether that was on-road damage or grease-monkeys wrench remains a mystery. Am less than happy, and my letter to Audi advising that they make these bolts bigger/stronger is almost written!

(As a small aside, my brake warning light had for months been flashing/beeping when turning on the ignition. Audi could find no reason for it. After the recent work, this has now been cured! Cars eh?!)

[Boy]

I'm sure that you will keep us posted on the response you receive from Audi.

[mikeybutch]

I think we have to accept that if the bolt had never been disturbed it would not have failed so it must have some thing to do with the cambelt change and perhaps the bolt was over tightened cross threaded or something which weakened the security of the bolt resulting in this catastrophe "2years later.When the belts were changed on my B5 this year Iwas told that the bolts were damaged from the previous change and all were replaced to be on the safe side. Just shows how much we have to rely on others when they say they have done what they are paid for!