Waldig,

Just some food for thought; but is it possible that the crank bolt was too long for the pulley once you cut the pulley down by .100"? Since the crank bolt treads into a blind hole, you could torque the bolt to spec. without the pulley being sufficiently tight (if the bolt bottomed out first). This would put all of the stress on the key/keyway causing it to loosen over time.

This may be just another conspiracy theory though.

 

Pulled my LET Water Pump Pulley and found mine to be rock solid - in fact the pulley wall is thicker at it's thinest point (the outer edge) then the stock pulley!

My LET water pump pulley is .192 from the hub to the center of the pulley (see pictures) and .118 on the outer edge. The LET pulley wall tapers down from the middle of the wall to the outer edge

LET Water Pump Pulley Inner edge measurement



LET WPP Inner Edge Close up



LET WPP Outer Edge Measurement


Continued.....

 

Here are some pics of the factory water Pump Pulley - it was only .082 mills all along the entire wall

Perhaps when LET made a vendor change something was lost in translation or QC process. There is no way on this earth you could squeeze or flex either my stock water pump pulley or the LET water pump pulley from my 185mm kit.. Good luck guys...

 

I don't understand how the crank bent, or how you straightend it in the car.

 

There is your answer. Thanks for pulling yours off Brian!

 

I have my let 185mm water pump pulley off the car but i dont have any calipers to measure it.

I will say that i can push both sides together with my hands and it definitely flexes. It is in my opinion a simple lip on the back like the stocker would have elimintated this problem. If you were to flex it 1000000 times with your hands i would expect it to break exactly where his did. Instead of your hands its a machine that spins extremely fast with more force from the belt then one could ever hope to exert with his/her hands.

Bulldogger, im right there with you. Im not sure i even want to know how waldig bent and straightened his crank in the car....wait, yes i do.

 

Regarding Waldig's problems:

Is it possible that your lower crank pulley wasn't balanced? The blower drive pulley and the harmonic balancer should be balanced as an assembly, after they were bolted together, not just the harmonic balancer by itself.

Lack of balance would also produce the same results you suffered. I've had a Ford and a Chevrolet that both did this: Fractured the harmonic balancer hub on the Ford and tore out the keyway on the Chevrolet,(as it wasn't a hardened crank, it also scooped out a chunk of crank with the keyway). The vibration that the unbalanced pulleys caused was barely perceptable at idle, but could be seen and felt at higher rpm's, when both of these failed.

These were both B&M mini blowers and B&M failed to balance the blower drive pulleys. At them time they felt it wasn't necessary on their "street" blowers, not sure what B&M/Holley thinks now. I balanced both pulleys with their respective harmonic balancers and never had another problem.

 

My crank Key was killed and then the bolt came off by unscrewing, I dont have the measurment but the crank has a deep threaded hole that the bolt would not bottom out in. It was tight, the key is VERY small and short, Ill put the key photo on later.

The stock water pump pulley is steel not the Aluminum used in the replacement. Al has less flex strength, tends to crack, we may see more about all of this., Enjoy Woody

 

The intent of this thread was simple; to seek clarification about what could have caused my water pulley failure. This all started Monday and I final have some answers on Friday from the forum instead of LET. I just want a reliable water pulley from LET. At this point, my disappointment has manifested into frustration with LET. I’m not into conspiracy theories and I’m not bashing a company that has received high praise from others. If they could tell me the replacement pulley won’t suffer the same fate as the original, fine I will install it and be happy. If a solution is being worked on, GREAT, communicate that so the affected customer(s) is in the know. I will replace the damaged belt, absorb the towing fees, and buy the necessary tools to mount the new pulley. I didn’t intend on paying $850.00 to drive a thousand miles with this setup, help sell this setup with real world data, have a pulley fail, and have to return too the stock setup or buy another set up to drive my SRT6. Disappointed and frustrated on multiple levels but still hopeful.

Thanks for some insight forum members I really appreciate it!

 

LET is diligently reviewing the situation and is currently working with our customer to rectify this isolated problem. Please know that LET is committed to offering the finest quality aftermarket parts available anywhere, and we stand committed to our products and our customers.

Please contact us if you have any questions about any of our products.

 

Guys we have more info coming soon...

If any of you need to reach me for any reason, please call me. (312)446-6326

Jerry

 

The picures that Brian showed us while he measured his pully almost looks like the front of his water pump pulley is rounded. Mine is a 90 degree edge, did you make some with a rounded front like seen on the OEM and others with the 90? the rounded front would be supperior to the welded 90 degree style I received.
Mike

 

Mike - The current water pump pulley is a single piece, with no welds.

All -

We have a new design that is in the works now. We will have 20 units completed by Monday. They will then need to be anodized, which could take a day or two.

I'll keep you updated...

 

LET has always taken great care of me, im sure they will come through for you.

 

Thanks, Shelton! We are going to make this right and correct the problem.

We will start a new thread once the new water pump pulleys are ready. You will then be able to get a free replacement by following a link in the thread.

LET has always addressed any issues and will continue to operate in this manner. We want everyone to know that we stand behind our products and service.

If anyone is not happy with this, please contact me directly.

 

My whole car is all LET supplied parts and will stay that way

 

My LET WP Pulley is a once piece - machined aluminum unit. Not rounded.

 

When a company accepts praise for doing good, there is an obligation to address adverse issues. LET has done so by following this thread, reviewing comments and taking action. LET contacted me, providing information on their intentions and offered their apologies for this isolated occurrence. When a consumer openly criticizes a company, they (me) should also openly acknowledge that company’s positive approach towards corrective actions. LETs actions have re-affirmed those supportive comments by members, which lead to my purchase of their products initially. There are a lot of companies that lack accountability but LET is not one of them and I thank them for that.

True accountability is seen and not just heard .

 

3000 hard miles and no sign of failure...and Jerry called to tell me of this problem with the product as I am only in the loop of communication 1 day every twoo weeks...
And he is offering a replacement for mine and I have no issues!
Oh and I Just had too put on a new set of rear tires...Thanks to LET Products!

 

Thanks guys!

As always, we only want to do what is right. Most people don't know, but the 3 owners of LET were forum members first. The 3 of us didn't know each other outside of MBWorld. A few members at MBWorld suggested that we start a company because we were already helping others members out with their cars. Needless to say, a PM or two led to a phone call or two, that led to a plane trip for a face to face meeting, which finally led to the start of LET.

It's been almost a year now and we are moving right along.

We are glad to be a part of this community!