In the OP's case, measure the resistance across the cap, if the measurement is zero ohms, the cap is shorted and could have caused the failure of the bridge. But chances are the fuse for that circuit would have blown instantly if this is the case (and the proper fuse is in the circuit) and not caused the bridge to fail.
If the electrolyte dried (the cap died of old age) up and the cap no longer works but is not shorted, I don't see how the cap could cause the bridge to fail.
How did the bridge fail (diode open, diode shorted, etc). In other words, what method did he use to determine the bridge is bad and how long did it take the new one to fail?
