Zumkopf

I need to replace the alternator on my '98 D2Q (will run on a charged battery, but the voltage drops from 12.4 to 11.2). I ordered a rebuilt Bosch unit, which said it did not come with an alternator pulley. To make it easier, I ordered a pulley as well (I've had those little devils be near-impossible to remove without damage). To my surprise, (a) the Bosch alternator did come with a pulley, and (b) the pulley I ordered turned out to be a clutch pulley. I did a little reading as to the purpose of the clutch (lengthen alternator, belt, and other component life). But I'm also a believer in doing what the manufacturer did in the first place, reasoning that (unless proven wrong by experience) they probably had a reason for doing things the way they did. So the question, or perhaps a survey: do I install the alternator with the solid pulley supplied because that's what the OE did, or with the clutch because it's a better idea?

Zumkopf
1998 A8 (D2) Quattro 140k

jfrahm

I'd return the clutch pulley. You might be putting the last serpentine belt on the car with this alternator, and presumably the last alternator with the stock components. No upside, unknown downsides, and money spent.