Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Radiator Bracket (Read 631 times) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Radiator Bracket

Yahoo Message Number: 82793
Our 2006 Inspire with the Cat C9 engine has a side mounted radiator. Its housing has a bracket welded on the rear which is then connected to the coach frame with a long double ended bolt that has locking /adjustment nuts on each end. The bracket welded to the radiator housing has broken at the weld. Looks like a weak design.
Have any of you experienced or heard of this problem? If so, what alternatives are out there - or are we best to simply re-weld the bracket and call it a day?

Many thanks for any help the group can provide ...

Mike

Re: Radiator Bracket

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 82795
Mike,

I had the same bracket break, only at the 90 degree bend part of the angle clip... after much discussion with my mechanical buddies it was decided not to do any welding to the aluminum cap on the radiator, due to age and possible corrosion on the inside of the rad tank cap.
My solution was to make a angle bracket (2x2x3/8" steel ) that sits just below the radiator and is secured to the radiator enclosure frame (steel) and secure it to the existing upper connection points with new threaded rods.. on the new steel bracket I drilled a hole on each end and used thick rubber vibration material between the double nut thread rod connector rod (1/2")... when all done it was very secure and didn't touch the radiator to cause any leaks... been working for 5000 miles so far.

Any questions please call or email...

Jerry Moore

2005 Country Coach

40' DVABD DAVINCI INSPIRE 330
C-9 CAT 400 HP
6 SPEED ALLISON
ID# 51241

#4U7K6ES1251104084

Jerry Moore

Auto Cadd Design Service LLC
10 Scenic Way

Middletown, NJ 07748
phone 732-671-6080
cell 732-233-4797
fax 732-671-5860
email jmoorepb@...

email jmoorepb@... www.autocadddesignservice.com
blog http://autocadddesignservice.com/wordpress/
 

Re: Radiator Bracket

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 82797
Mike - I've been through one radiator already. I'll add these comments. Radiators can experience temperature swings in excess of 200F. That means the metal used to construct them must be free to expand and contract. This amounts to small distances but it's extremely important that this movement be "relieved" to avoid damage. Damage usually includes broken welds, solder joints and cooling tube header failures. Most properly designed radiator mountings use rubber grommets of some sort which allow a radiator a soft cradle to expand/contract in all directions. Mountings of this type are more complex, use extra parts and thus increase costs. It's just easier to bent metal, weld, screw it down and move on. Easier, that is, for the factory.
Horizontal radiators (landscape orientation) have other mechanical issues. It's a longer structure that requires some sort of mid position support to take stresses off the core. In my case the idiots just welded in a steel U channel. My radiator didn't make it 14K miles. I hope the things I've mentioned are helpful in evaluating your situation. I'm not familiar with the Intrigue so generalizations are the best I can do. My radiator debacle is here: http://muniac.smugmug.com/photos/swfpopup.mg?AlbumID=16803460&AlbumKey=2qwGtc
Good luck to you.

At 06:49 AM 10/1/2012, you wrote: