NHTSA Complaint #720171 — 1988 CHEVROLET ASTRO

THE ONE PIECE ACESSORY MOUNTING BRACKET CRACKS AND FAILS WHICH CAUSES THE POWER STEERING PUMB TO BEND FORWARD AND THE SINGLE SERPENTINE BELT TO BE THROWN. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY OWNED BY THE COUNTY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO AND YOU COULD TELL THAT ONE THE BRACKET CRACKED, IT PUT A STRAIN ON THE LOER 2 MOUNTING BOLTS AND SNAPPED THE HEADS OFF THE BOLTS. I PREVIOUSLY OWNED ANOTHER CHEVY WITH THE 305 ENGINE AND THAT BRACKET ALSO FAILED. I HAVE ALSO SEN MANY OF THESE BRACKETS ON USED ENGINS AT SALVAGE YARDS WITH CRACKS IN THE SAME PLACE. WHEN THE BRACKET BRAKES, YOU LOSE ALL POWER ASSIST WHICH COULD PUT THE VEHICLE AND PASSENGERS AT RISK. I AM AN ENGINEER BY EDUCATION AND HAVE ALSO OWNED AN AUTO REPAIR GARAGE. I HAVE DETERMINED THAT THE PART NEEDS AN ADDITIONAL GUSSET WELDED SO THAT IT CANNOT FLEX AND ULTIMATELY FAIL.