Warning!

conaero · Jan 10, 2015

rs48635 said:
Okay.
Who will co-ordinate our evidence and submit to VOSA?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Well I suppose it should be me but I have my hands full at the moment so could do with some help on this one.

Can I propose Mchristyuk as you seem the one most up to speed with this.

allandwf · Jan 10, 2015

I had the NDT depertment out here have a look over the pictures, his response is below. Obviously can't tell too much from pictures alone.

Hi Looks like a very poor design fault in the Ali casting nor sure of the diameter but would have been better made form a Solid Billet and hole bored to fit bush. Looks like the stress on the forging could possibly be caused by axial loading from the internal fitting causing it to crack along the gate of the sand casting seam of the casting. and with this design will also remain a problem
The sand mold separates along a parting line and has solidified when the casting was removed. Can only assume it is not a hot tear cold lap during manufacture as this would be evident at manufacturing Inspection Control procedure.
It is difficult to call as there are many types of castings methods for auto parts i.e Gravity casting , low pressure casting, high Pressure Die casting and Squeeze casting.

I'll try and get mine inspected asap once I get back, shudder to think what outcome would be if they let go.

highlander · Jan 10, 2015

Might be worth alerting all the specialists to check for this with any cars currently in and those due in? Should at least give some cross reference stats........

mchristyuk · Jan 10, 2015

Conaero said:
Well I suppose it should be me but I have my hands full at the moment so could do with some help on this one.

Can I propose Mchristyuk as you seem the one most up to speed with this.

I'm happy to start looking into some kind of approach to VOSA. However I've never done anything like this in my life and don't want to c*ck it up.

I'm out tonight so will spend some time researching options tomorrow and feed back as appropriate.

In better news my car is now all fixed and luckily the only extra damage apart form the arm was a drop link. Will be picking her up on Wednesday. Should also have my bag of "bits" then too. I was so lucky that I was only going about 25mph when it failed.

Mark

conaero · Jan 10, 2015

Mark research it then pm me with any plan on of attack and I'll give you my thoughts.

This s is about preventing the pending deaths of fellow forum members so I don't think there is anything to c0ck up!

Chrisbassett · Jan 10, 2015

It might be worth calling VOSA - they give this number for doing so:
0117 9543300

Got it from this page
http://www.transportoffice.gov.uk/crt/doitonline/bl/help/voluntaryrecallsystem.htm

Emtee · Jan 10, 2015

mjheathcote said:
We have crack detection spray at work, available from your local engineering/welding supplier.
Its just a red dye you spray and wipe off, followed by a white developer you spray on, any red dye in any cracks is then drawn out and clearly visable against the white.

Guy used this when checking my Exxy before rebuild. Brilliant stuff, particularly for hair-line cracks.

https://www.rocol.com/products/non-destructive-testing-kit

Zep · Jan 10, 2015

That's the stuff, I get similar from RS components... http://m.rs-online.com/h5/mobile/uk/catalog?url=/web/p/leak-flaw-detector-sprays/4955027/

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

mjheathcote · Jan 10, 2015

Zep said:
That's the stuff, I get similar from RS components... http://m.rs-online.com/h5/mobile/uk/catalog?url=/web/p/leak-flaw-detector-sprays/4955027/

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes we have both brands at work.

Marti · Jan 10, 2015

My fronts where cracked at the inspection from McGrath 's and was replaced under warranty before selling the 3200. I still have the cracked ones in the garage if anybody requires them for inspection.

mchristyuk · Jan 11, 2015

Marti,

I'll drop you and some of the other guys a PM for my data gathering exercise...

Cheers

Mark

rs48635 · Jan 11, 2015

Marti said:
My fronts where cracked at the inspection from McGrath 's and was replaced under warranty before selling the 3200. I still have the cracked ones in the garage if anybody requires them for inspection.

Marti

I might be interested in seeing your defective arms, seems you are fairly nearby. Maybe a sunny day drive and meet for coffee?

rs48635 · Jan 11, 2015

Evo Cymru said:
Update!

Cleaned up the wishbones and a better look today and sadly I have found some cracks! There is one on the side where the the bolt was seized but even on the other wishbone with un-seized bolts there is evidence of a crack forming. Both seem to be alone the forge point.

View attachment 26056 View attachment 26057

I did not spot these with the wishbones still on the car so am glad I decided to take them off to check more closely!

Olly

Assuming I saw off the bolt to remove and inspect my arms. Using the best dye technique...

What options do I have if the arms are intact? Can the bush with seized bolt be pushed out and replaced? Is this something better burnt out with heat or chemical rather than pressed. Can new items be found and fitted?

If not, then anyone with seized bolts might as well leave them alone until new arms are sourced.

How many do we need to get something economically made, maybe from billet alloy?

mchristyuk · Jan 11, 2015

I'm going to spend some time this evening drafting an initial email to VOSA which Matt is kindly going to take a look at for me.

Greg from Premier Performance Car Parts has just emailed me saying he is happy to be quoted/cited in the correspondence with VOSA, so thank you to Greg for supporting this. Interestingly he has been asked for 3 lower arms in the past week due to cracking!

Also he's confirmed what Marios has said and he's never seen an issue with the rear suspension.

Will keep you all updated as I progress this...

Mark

Contigo · Jan 11, 2015

Checked mine today but not the conventional way, it involved a few launches, dab of oppo and jumping on the brakes at 100mph to a full standstill in under 6 seconds. I'm still here so the consensus is mine are fine.

CatmanV2 · Jan 11, 2015

Contigo said:
Checked mine today but not the conventional way, it involved a few launches, dab of oppo and jumping on the brakes at 100mph to a full standstill in under 6 seconds. I'm still here so the consensus is mine are fine.

Sensible policies for a better Britain

C

Zep · Jan 11, 2015

I have started taking mine apart today and I have a seized bolt in a rear bush. I'm going to cut it out and I have decided this is the moment to replace all of the bushes. Would anyone be interested in a group buy of replacement bushes?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

CatmanV2 · Jan 11, 2015

Zep said:
I have started taking mine apart today and I have a seized bolt in a rear bush. I'm going to cut it out and I have decided this is the moment to replace all of the bushes. Would anyone be interested in a group buy of replacement bushes?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Certainly
C

2b1ask1 · Jan 11, 2015

Zep said:
Would anyone be interested in a group buy of replacement bushes?

Me too... Yes.

Trev Latter · Jan 11, 2015

Absolutely in for a group buy and can I also express my gratitude to Mark, Drew, Rob and all the others who have stepped up to the mark for this. Well done guys and thanks.

Warning!

Forum Owner

Member

Member

Junior Member

Forum Owner

Member

New Member

Attachments

Moderator

Centenary Club

Member

Junior Member

Member

Member

Junior Member

Sponsor

Member

Moderator

Member

Special case

Member