Just thought id let you guys know.

I recently rebuilt my 3.4l from the ground up(For a motor swap)

Just turned 400 miles on the engine and I hear my belt squeal. So I pop the hood and find my fan bracket has cracked and almost completely fallen off So I got the thing back to my house and take it all apart and I cannot believe what I saw.

The bracket was made from POT METAL! I was so pissed that i threw the bracket on the ground and it literally shattered. I know you are all going to say you get what you pay for and now I know why to use OEM parts.

BEWARE CHEAP PARTS!

 

X2

Unless you know exactly what you're getting, always opt for OEM parts.

 

Where did you get it from? Was it off ebay? I got one from a seller called Sandman, just wondering if its the same guy.

 

i bought some taillight lenses awhile ago from sandman.. at least i think thats who i bought it from... or it was the chrome mirrors or bumper ends... he seemed to be a good seller, answered every question i had, i could always get ahold of him, etc.

 

X2, he even said he'd give me a 2 year warranty on the fan bracket (normally one year I guess)

 

it was off ebay and they guy said he would give me a 1 year no questions warranty and I have yet to hear back from him 4 days later

All you have to do is make sure it is made out of ALUMINUM

 

Look at the broken part and tell me if the bearing was an NSK?
If not, can you tell us what it says.

 

So are you saying yours is made from cast iron? Does a magnet stick to it? Mine is non-magnetic.

 

Sorry if I sound stupid but I believe aluminum isnt magnetic?

Bearing has no markings on it whatsoever

 

Right, so is yours magnetic or non-magnetic?

 

That's your key right there......el cheapo, danger, danger.
I've learned what to look for now after doing mine.

This thread should help on what to look for:
http://www.ultimateyota.com/index.ph...27277#msg27277

 

I always preach to use factory replacement (not counting upgrade performance parts) parts, but this just reaffirms what i have always said. Beware cheap immitations!!!!

 

Usually I'd agree, but have you priced the fan bracket from Toyota? They don't sell it by itself, you have to also buy the pulleys and fan clutch. I've heard the 3vz fan bracket is $750 MSRP

 

Well how about a good used part?

And i would rather go new OEM and have to not worry, rather than keep buying junk aftermarket brackets that go bad every 6 months. How much money are you REALLY saving?

Not sure why they dont sell it seperatly, that is really stupid. It cant cost over $100 to build it, especially given the number they likely would sell if it wasn't $750.

 

Yeah...rock hard spot. I've relieved some of the stress on mine by going to an electric fan.

 

Has anyone found a source for the fan bracket bearings?I have tried locally with some of the bearing suppliers that always had what I needed but no luck.I have several brackets that need bearings.

Thanks
Shubey

 

Sorry shubey but youre gonna have to buy the whole bracket

Best bet is to head to your local wrecker

 

The OEM bearing for the fan bracket is made by NSK if that helps you at all.

 

Its a non-removable bearing. You will destroy the housing trying to get it out.

Trust me, i've tried. Several times.