Second guessing my repair work.

autobonrun · autobonrun's Garage

I decided to participate in another high speed DE a few weeks back. Unfortunately, an oil leak at the external thermostat stopped that idea. I thought I might still try it but found when I got to the track, I also began thinking about all the suspension upgrades I had done myself (for the first time) over the last year ( front and rear torsion bar replacement, bushing replacements, shock replacements, different tires) and whether I had all the bolts tightened properly. Strange, even though I know I did the jobs correctly, the feeling was kinda like when you go back to see if you let the garage door down although you know you did.

But I'm wondering, after repairs on critical systems (especially suspension), what tests do you do before you subject your car to a high speed event? Do you recheck torques on things like shock bolts, Cv joint bolts, other suspension bolts everytime before you participate in a DE. In the past, everything on my car was still untouched from the factory so I basically just checked the air in the tires and fluid levels and got on the track.

Mike Kast · Mike Kast's Garage

I wonder if you would be thinking the same thing if you paid someone else to do the work? I bet the chances would be just as good that the paid mechanic could forget to tighten something too. Like the doctor forgetting a few large tools inside his patient...lol... come on... If you were operating on yourself you would never leave your tools in there. You need those tools!

89911 · 05-13-2003, 04:23 AM

With the wheels off and the car jacked up, you can get to 95% of the bolts to check for torque. If you did this already, you've most likely gone beyond what most garages would do. Jump in and drive the thing ***** out of that car! (Just wear your helmet

)

lendaddy · 05-13-2003, 04:42 AM

I feel your pain. It's funny how you can pull out of the Tuffy parking lot with a quick wave to Skippy the brake kid and be doing 95mph down the highway without a worry, but if you add air to your own tire you cant help but worry if you did it right. I remember when I did new wheel bearings on a crotch rocket I had years ago. I was paralized with fear for a day or so that the wheel would seize up at 100mph. Why? I knew I did it right, but as they say out of sight out of mind.

autobonrun · autobonrun's Garage

I'm sure you guys are right, everything is probably tight. However one of the downsides of doing your own repairs is that you become not only intimately familiar with the strenghts of the car but also where weak points may reside. Not knowing the size of the bolts that stands between you and a failed suspension has its benefits. Knowing what holds a suspension together is kind of like visiting a meat packing plant and finding out what goes in a hot dog; you never look at them the same way again.

juanbenae · juanbenae's Garage

look on the bright side,, should things go south at a track event you and everyone else has helments on and any incident will not affect insurance rates!

pbs911 · pbs911's Garage

Part of my DE prep is to jack up the car and check every accessable nut and bolt. Even though I take my time and do my own work taking a couple hours to recheck gives me piece of mind. If you don't check you never know. 100+ mph is not the time for you mind to wander into thinking whether the bolt that holds on you tie rod is properly fastened.

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

Right - you're better off doing it yourself than having someone else do it for you. Do what Paul says - check everything tightly. Also test the car on an open course (autocross?) where you can stress it without too much damage if anything happens.

In all likelihood, everthing is tight - if something was loose, you'd hear or feel it. Things just don't fall apart. The real danger is with old or rusty cars that break without too much warning...

-Wayne

BGCarrera32 · 05-13-2003, 09:38 AM

Although I'm sure many of the Porsche and specialty mechanics are much better, I've had such poor experiences with mechanics in general, muffler shops, and dealerships especially, that I'm the ONLY guy that touches my stuff unless its an alignment or warranty work. Most mechanics just don't have the vested interest in the car that you do, and get payed by how many jobs they can get through in a day (done correctly or not). Besides, if there is a noise or funny issue after you've done something, you're more apt to know right where to look...

-BG

tryan · 05-13-2003, 09:42 AM

use a torque wrench and put a dot of your wifes least favorite fingernail polish on each bolt/nut when it is tightened.

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

Right - you're better off doing it yourself than having someone else do it for you. Do what Paul says - check everything tightly. Also test the car on an open course (autocross?) where you can stress it without too much damage if anything happens.

In all likelihood, everthing is tight - if something was loose, you'd hear or feel it. Things just don't fall apart. The real danger is with old or rusty cars that break without too much warning...

-Wayne

VincentVega · 05-13-2003, 10:49 AM

At a tech session a while ago I mentioned to the inspector I had recently done some suspension and brake work. He gladly took a few extra minutes and checked my work, nothing major, but a quick go through. I think it's a great idea to have some one else look at your car before a track event, if you worked on it or not. I am sure each region has specific rules for tech inspection, but this is a good practice in any case.

Good luck and have fun!