Side-mount bracket system for providing a locked sensor position

A side-mount bracket system for retaining position of a washer relative to a bracket, comprising:

• a bracket having an elongated slot, said slot having opposing, mutually parallel slot sidewalls;
• a washer having a central portion, said central portion having a predetermined initial diameter wherein said washer is slidable in said slot along said sidewalls;
• and
• means for deforming said washer to provide a facial interaction between said washer and said bracket to thereby positionally affix said washer with respect to said bracket.

A method for setting and locking an air gap of a sensor tip with respect to a reluctor, wherein the reluctor is rotatable with respect to an engine housing, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a slot in a side-mount bracket, the slot being elongated in a longitudinal direction;
• connecting a sensor body of a sensor to the side-mount bracket, wherein a contact surface of a tip thereof is directed parallel to the longitudinal direction;
• placing the sensor body into a sensor port of an engine housing, wherein the contact surface contacts a reluctor and thereby sets an air gap between the reluctor and the tip;
• passing a fastener through a hole in a washer;
• and
• securing the fastener to a vertical surface connected with the engine housing to thereby secure the side-mount bracket to the engine housing, whereduring a facial interaction is established between the washer and the slot which positionally affixes the washer with respect to the side-mount bracket so as to lock the air gap independent of the presence of the contact surface.