129 replies to this topic

[hamlet]

Hi guys, I ordered a Toe Link kit in February 2008, one of the first group buy. While doing my winter check, I noticed that the spherical bearings had some play. Do you know where I can procure some extra? I also heard that the first spherical bearings sold with the first kits have been replaced by better ones. Is that true? IF yes, where can I procure the "stronger" ones? Thanks in advance for your feedback and merry Christmas from snowy Switzerland...

[spider]

Is it possible to give feedback on the handling, Anyone who did sometrack days with this improved set up?

Edited by spider, 01 January 2010 - 10:46 PM.

[hamlet]

Hi, I can not really feel it, it is difficult to say, but while checking the rear wheels and the torquing of the toe-links, I noticed some play. Since the toe-link were fully torqued, I was clear that the play could only come from the spherical bearings. I had a measurement done at my garage and they measured around 0.5° play. It is definitely not good and the parts need to be replaced, but it is still "ok" to drive in town. I contacted Paul by PM and I am now checking with SpitFire to procure new parts.

[The Batman]

get in contact with them as i have heard quite a few failures recently

[Muncher]

get in contact with them as i have heard quite a few failures recently

Still we've not had a single set of faulty ones returned ever.

The latest spec are seriously over engineered, but Gaz would really like to look at any that are defective to work out why that happened.

[The Batman]

Still we've not had a single set of faulty ones returned ever.

didnt know you where part of there business

i know of at least 3/4 people that now have play in the ball joints bits so you might here of a few soon

[techieboy]

get in contact with them as i have heard quite a few failures recently

Still we've not had a single set of faulty ones returned ever.

The latest spec are seriously over engineered, but Gaz would really like to look at any that are defective to work out why that happened.

I've got to sort mine out (still), so am happy to send them back to Spitfire for Gaz to have a look at. Does he want the whole thing back or just the outer joints (which have the excess play on my car)?

[spider]

With the 'rumors' of failure and the above indicated play after a year, as this was suppossed to be beefier then stock, this is not good. Sounds disturbing all in all, thinking of this would be a good upgrade, as I am putting on serious power on my 2.2(Dbilas turbo) I have my doubts now. With also a substantial pricetag on this kit, it's probably wiser to have new joints OEM installed instead, to have a fresh set up.

[VIX]

With the 'rumors' of failure and the above indicated play after a year, as this was suppossed to be beefier then stock, this is not good.

I'll be getting Steve G to give mine a good going over next month.

[Muncher]

I say we as most people get it touch with me first. Gaz will just want the outers back I think, with replacements sent straight out.

[willis]

I say we as most people get it touch with me first.

Gaz will just want the outers back I think, with replacements sent straight out.

hi muncher do u have a full kit for a turbo with a miltek and a price thanks

[Spitfire Engineering]

Hi,

I can not really feel it, it is difficult to say, but while checking the rear wheels and the torquing of the toe-links, I noticed some play.
Since the toe-link were fully torqued, I was clear that the play could only come from the spherical bearings.
I had a measurement done at my garage and they measured around 0.5° play.
It is definitely not good and the parts need to be replaced, but it is still "ok" to drive in town.
I contacted Paul by PM and I am now checking with SpitFire to procure new parts.

The new Teflon units were introduced about 6 months ago, these were specified by us to include an aerospace Teflon liner and rigid bonding agent, we also had them keyed into the housing for total location support. There has been no indication of wear in any of these units to date.
earlier units were from several manufacturers including Aurora and FK and despite the names and selection from the upper range some units did lose tension due to compression in the Teflon liner. Please note this problem is covered by our 12 month warranty though it is not a safety issue, unlike the standard units which snap and allow the the toe-link to detach. Slackness in the joint cannot cause failure of the joint.
For older units outside the warranty we do offer the new units at a very reasonable cost.

[Spitfire Engineering]

get in contact with them as i have heard quite a few failures recently

Since the initial problem 3 years ago with the ally rod-ends that were all replaced FOC regardless if they were worn or not, We have replaced a total of about 10 pairs (most of which were never returned) over all the kit types including the Elise variants. Of these about half were under warranty.
We have only had 1 set from the VX returned to date, though about 5 sets were sent out. This is a pretty small % of the kits around.
All replacement units have the new aerospace liner.

[Spitfire Engineering]

With the 'rumors' of failure and the above indicated play after a year, as this was suppossed to be beefier then stock, this is not good.

Sounds disturbing all in all,
thinking of this would be a good upgrade,
as I am putting on serious power on my 2.2(Dbilas turbo) I have my doubts now.

With also a substantial pricetag on this kit,
it's probably wiser to have new joints OEM installed instead, to have a fresh set up.

Failure of a standard joint means just that, the unit will usually fail where the arm spigot meets the housing, this means you will lose control of the car as you now have 3 (or 4) wheel uncoordinated steering
Failure as used earlier in the thread regarding the rod-ends is in relation to the Teflon liner compressing and allowing a very small movement of the ball within the housing, the ball will not exit the housing and the most you may feel is a little rear drift under certain road and handling configurations.
same word, two totally different scenarios.

[Spitfire Engineering]

get in contact with them as i have heard quite a few failures recently

Still we've not had a single set of faulty ones returned ever.

The latest spec are seriously over engineered, but Gaz would really like to look at any that are defective to work out why that happened.

I've got to sort mine out (still), so am happy to send them back to Spitfire for Gaz to have a look at. Does he want the whole thing back or just the outer joints (which have the excess play on my car)?

Send them straight to me please, it is usually only the outers that wear.

[techieboy]

the ball will not exit the housing and the most you may feel is a little rear drift under certain road and handling configurations.

That's exactly my symptoms. Noticed it first on the way to Silverstone, making decent progress on the A43 and cresting a silght rise. When the suspension unloaded there was a slight kick (probably too strong a word) to the right from the rear of the car.

Send them straight to me please, it is usually only the outers that wear.

Will do. I'll get my backside in gear and get them off the car this weekend.

[NickB787]

With the new one what are the recommendations for grease while fitting, sorry I'm one of the ones who hasn't sent them back just trying to get time to fit them this week

[Spitfire Engineering]

With the new one what are the recommendations for grease while fitting, sorry I'm one of the ones who hasn't sent them back just trying to get time to fit them this week

Grease is only there to trap any dirt ingress, it is not to lubricate in any way.
I would suggest a clear, light High melting point synthetic grease, and it only needs a smear around the 2 sides of the bearing and around all the boot seals, no need to fully pack it but it will not do any harm.



Gaz

[hamlet]

With the new one what are the recommendations for grease while fitting, sorry I'm one of the ones who hasn't sent them back just trying to get time to fit them this week

Grease is only there to trap any dirt ingress, it is not to lubricate in any way.
I would suggest a clear, light High melting point synthetic grease, and it only needs a smear around the 2 sides of the bearing and around all the boot seals, no need to fully pack it but it will not do any harm.



Gaz

Hi Gaz,

did you get my PM for the order of new bearings?

Cheers
Franck

[Spitfire Engineering]

With the new one what are the recommendations for grease while fitting, sorry I'm one of the ones who hasn't sent them back just trying to get time to fit them this week

Grease is only there to trap any dirt ingress, it is not to lubricate in any way.
I would suggest a clear, light High melting point synthetic grease, and it only needs a smear around the 2 sides of the bearing and around all the boot seals, no need to fully pack it but it will not do any harm.



Gaz

Hi Gaz,

did you get my PM for the order of new bearings?

Cheers
Franck

I did Franck they are all packed up, just waiting for an address so I can find out the postage costs.