536 replies to this topic

[Muncher]

UP

No, they've not come back here yet, not sure how long they would take to come back?

If there is an insurance, it's going to be time to use it.

Could you go to your local post office sorting office (I'm not sure how it works in France) and check with them as it must be sitting there somewhere. If it was returned to the UK then as it has my address on it, it would have come back here. As soon as I have enough spare collets I will send you another set out regardless.

[Muncher]

I've just collected the brace bar Nitrile washers, Spitfire should be bringing all the parts down to me next week providing the brackets have come back from being plated

[MAXR]

I've just collected the brace bar Nitrile washers, Spitfire should be bringing all the parts down to me next week providing the brackets have come back from being plated

Paul,

Can I possibly get one of the first ones as Jim is currently modifying his jig to hopefully allow for the brace so I could do with an actual brace bar & brackets ASAP. Also if I can also have my replacement rods at the same time, let me know the price so that I can make payment to you.

Many Thanks


Max

[Muncher]

Will do Max, will send you the first one If it fits an NA with a 3" exhaust we can then assume there's a pretty good chance of it fitting all NAs

[Mr_M]

Paul, Have to admit then I've been pretty cr*p of late - got as far as putting my old joints in a jiffy bag to send back to you and then (forgetting that I hadn't actuallly posted them) thought they'd gone back and forgot all about them. Until my wife greeted me with the dreaded words "So what exactly are these....and how much did they cost?" earlier today... Must admit I've now forgotten where I'm supposed to be sending them - to your good self or to Spitfire direct? At this rate it'd probably be easier all round if you could send the brace bar kit with the replacement joints too, so let me know how / when I need to pay you for that as well please. Thanks (and apologies for being so disorganised )

[Spitfire Engineering]

Paul,

Have to admit then I've been pretty cr*p of late - got as far as putting my old joints in a jiffy bag to send back to you and then (forgetting that I hadn't actuallly posted them) thought they'd gone back and forgot all about them. Until my wife greeted me with the dreaded words "So what exactly are these....and how much did they cost?" earlier today...

Must admit I've now forgotten where I'm supposed to be sending them - to your good self or to Spitfire direct? At this rate it'd probably be easier all round if you could send the brace bar kit with the replacement joints too, so let me know how / when I need to pay you for that as well please.

Thanks (and apologies for being so disorganised )

Please remember my refund relies on the old units being sent back to the States!
Any missing units will not be refunded so I need to have them sent back ASAP please.

Ta

Gaz

[Marco Polo]

Can I know what kind of material/steel is used for the 2 brackets (the ones being bolted to the subframe) ?

Because in fact I am facing one pb...

Have you already seen this pic ?



It is my car...

This tear has been fixed by Hitec, they have weldded a piece of steel over the tear...

However, this patch is partly where the bracket is suppposed to be bolted...

So I guess I need to "expand" the patch by putting a piece of steel between the bracket and the subframe. Do I need to make it weldded to the subframe / the bracket ?

Thank for any advice
(I can mke a picture of the patch this weekend if needed)

[Mr_M]

Please remember my refund relies on the old units being sent back to the States!
Any missing units will not be refunded so I need to have them sent back ASAP please.

Ta

Gaz

Sorry Gaz - will get them back direct to you by special delivery asap

[Spitfire Engineering]

Can I know what kind of material/steel is used for the 2 brackets (the ones being bolted to the subframe) ?

Because in fact I am facing one pb...

Have you already seen this pic ?



It is my car...

This tear has been fixed by Hitec, they have weldded a piece of steel over the tear...

However, this patch is partly where the bracket is suppposed to be bolted...

So I guess I need to "expand" the patch by putting a piece of steel between the bracket and the subframe. Do I need to make it weldded to the subframe / the bracket ?

Thank for any advice
(I can mke a picture of the patch this weekend if needed)

Wow that is quite a mess, what caused the original damage?.
Brackets are Stainless so no further corrosion will be created between the bracket and the subframe.

The bracket will have a supporting effect as it is stronger than the frame (2.00mm) and the large washers (supplied) that go behind will also help tie it all together, however the bracket depth is correct for the collets supplied and the addition of another layer of steel will change this so best to leave it alone until we see the latest pics at least.

really need to see some pics from several other angles before commenting further.
possibly I can convert a bracket to fit if need be without too much loss of the structural integrity of the bracket.

Edited by Spitfire Engineering, 25 April 2008 - 08:59 PM.

[Marco Polo]

...

Wow that is quite a mess, what caused the original damage?.
Brackets are Stainless so no further corrosion will be created between the bracket and the subframe.

The bracket will have a supporting effect as it is stronger than the frame (2.00mm) and the large washers (supplied) that go behind will also help tie it all together, however the bracket depth is correct for the collets supplied and the addition of another layer of steel will change this so best to leave it alone until we see the latest pics at least.

really need to see some pics from several other angles before commenting further.
possibly I can convert a bracket to fit if need be without too much loss of the structural integrity of the bracket.

No cause clearly determined... Fatigue, trackday, poth hole...

Hitec discovered the situation when I brought them the car for a S/C Conversion (3 years ago)

I will make some pics of the actual situation this weekend and post everything...

(since the fix by Hitec, I had no more problem)

Thanks

[zman240uk]

Muncher/Spitfire I returned my tie rod ends on 14/4. Can you give me an eta on when I can expect the replacements? Thanks. Ken Dollen...

[Muncher]

I have them here Ken, forgot to send them out on friday so they will go out first class on monday ps. One member of the group buy went to change his today and as he removed the outboard joint (standard Vauxhall item), it sheered off in his hand! The bolt was sheered almost to the point of failure. He was pretty relieved as he had just been driving the car at a rate of knots and had a Walshy day on monday... He'll be explaining what he found with some pics early next week. He's certain he would have had a big failure if he hadn't fitted the Spitfire kit!

[Marco Polo]

really need to see some pics from several other angles before commenting further.
possibly I can convert a bracket to fit if need be without too much loss of the structural integrity of the bracket.

Spent some time on the car... I had a big fight with the original tie rod (right side)... I had much trouble removing the nuts (chassis / hub carrier) but maneged to remove them in the end... Then the tie rod cannot be moved at all, I tried a big hammer with no effect...

Anyway, here is a pic :



Once I remove that $*@# tie rod I might have some better ones...

[Spitfire Engineering]

really need to see some pics from several other angles before commenting further.
possibly I can convert a bracket to fit if need be without too much loss of the structural integrity of the bracket.

Spent some time on the car... I had a big fight with the original tie rod (right side)... I had much trouble removing the nuts (chassis / hub carrier) but maneged to remove them in the end... Then the tie rod cannot be moved at all, I tried a big hammer with no effect...

Anyway, here is a pic :



Once I remove that $*@# tie rod I might have some better ones...

Ok Marco
Well I can sculpture the bracket around the damage repair though it means one bolt will be missing.
Meatloaf claimed two otta three aint bad but three out of four is better

Can you check how thick the repair sheet is including any welding though excess can be ground off if need be.

If you have opted for the brace that would be ideal as it a has a major fixing inwards of the main bracket that will stop the main bracket distorting inwards under heavy load.

Edited by Spitfire Engineering, 28 April 2008 - 09:03 AM.

[l14mha]

I have them here Ken, forgot to send them out on friday so they will go out first class on monday

ps. One member of the group buy went to change his today and as he removed the outboard joint (standard Vauxhall item), it sheered off in his hand! The bolt was sheered almost to the point of failure. He was pretty relieved as he had just been driving the car at a rate of knots and had a Walshy day on monday...

He'll be explaining what he found with some pics early next week. He's certain he would have had a big failure if he hadn't fitted the Spitfire kit!

that was me.... i could have been tomorrows bad news.... if it had gone on my way back from work i would have been a gonner....it would have taken a miracle to save me..

i'll take some pictures this evening and start up a new thread insted of hijacking this one. i just thought that i should meke people aware

liam

[MEAGY]

Brackets are Stainless so no further corrosion will be created between the bracket and the subframe.

If the subframe is galvanised? then it will corrode with the stainless!! When we bolt galv panels with stainless bolts in work we have to use special nylon washers so they dont touch!!!

[Muncher]

Meagy, the brackets are stainless but they're plated with something else after cutting, bending and welding.

[Spitfire Engineering]

Brackets are Stainless so no further corrosion will be created between the bracket and the subframe.

If the subframe is galvanised? then it will corrode with the stainless!! When we bolt galv panels with stainless bolts in work we have to use special nylon washers so they dont touch!!!

Strictly speaking, yes there is the chance of corrosion! but the risk is not high with stainless and galv'd steel considering their relative surface areas, over 100:1 or more. the surface area of the bracket (cathodic) is small compared to the subframe (anodic).
The brackets are made from 316 which is particularly stable and has a passive film like all stainless steels, But if you are worried then a lick of Duralac or similar will avoid the issue.

nice bit here from the British SS assoc http://www.bssa.org.....php?article=89

We are talking rusty cars here

Edited by Spitfire Engineering, 29 April 2008 - 11:02 PM.

[MEAGY]

Cool, they looked like they were coated with zinc or similar.

[Spitfire Engineering]

Hi Gents Sorry for the delays but it has just got worse. The brackets arrived back from ther platers this afternoon just in time for the fitting at Pauls tomorrow and I have just noticed they have moved one of the main bolt holes from the final drawing I saw a few weeks ago and they no longer line up! They will be dumped on the desk of the CAD guy in the morning and I will hassle to get these made again ASAP. but realistic minimum will be 10 days with the plating. 15 years ago I could have simply gone to another cutter but most of these are now in China. I'll keep you informed.