AMEN to that....

Even though my car is teched by others... I check everything myself.. despite being teched by others.

Oh and I have professional credentials..

Double amen.

Since this thread is about my car, I must point out that I check my car each time I go to the track. This includes removing each wheel for inspection of all components (it does not take long), & a partial brake fluid flush before each track event (overkill?).

I sure as hell don't want to head off (to) the track.....unintentionally.

Both the mfg and the shop which installed the parts are concerned and both have not let up in that concern.

I've been impressed.

I'm curious as to what your agenda is given that you decided to come into this discussion having never posted on this board before. You seem to be concerned about negative ramifications with regard to the manufacturer.

To address a couple of points you make, I'm not sure what you mean by an "opinion without professional credentials." I have observed that several members here have degrees in mechanical engineering. Does that qualify, or does one have to be currently employed as an engineer in a directly related field to be qualified to state an opinion? What is the criterion for having "credentials?"

As far as refraining from "making statements," this is a forum. What you may consider a statement might actually be an opinion. This is what we do on a forum such as this. It's been done for years and I don't remember anyone taking exception in the sense of refrainment from friendly discussion of a topic even when it became highly technical. In fact, a lot of us learn from being here and would hate to see information cease to be exchanged.

The way I read your post is to suspect you are suggesting that comments be curtailed because they may become evidence in the event of litigation. Do you think I'm close to understanding your purpose in your suggestion ".....to refrain from making statements about the suitability or applicability of the bolt, it's grade, or hardware in question.........." ? The part I'm really curious about is, "....without having firsthand knowledge of the development process or analysis that was undertaken."

If I'm not correct in deducting that you have other than simply a casual interest in the well being of the members of the Pelican community and/or the company that made this product along with the individual that installed it, would you explain to me why you would have us stifle our (in many cases, quite educated)opinions?

For that, sir, I thank you in advance.

Zeke said it right. Not everyone here may have credentials, but _many_ do, and Smokey Yunick had _none_ but still knew what he was talking about. And opinions we all have, indeed!

Randy - are you car #52?

Thanks,

Chris Brown
BS EE/ME and many years of practical experience building cars that had to go fast yet keep me safe, including featherweight formula cars with many exotic fasteners

Milt, you do have a way of placing things in perspective! ;) Right now, my opinion is that I'm glad to be a poor boy who can't afford to play on the track. Just a mild street car is scary enough. Counterfeit bolts...anybody else here remember Ed Mayo's article in the ESSES about experiencing counterfeit "factory" rod bolts?

FWIW I think what is being said by all is wait for the shop and ERP to have their say before solid passing judgment.

That said, I think we've analyzed this pretty well without hammering on anyone. At times, the Pelican list can get pretty brutal -- and I appreciate the discretion.;)

Evidently the photo upload feature isn't working......

Zeke, others,

Point taken. My post is a bit assertive. For the record I am both a casual observer, and an enthusiast with some formal CE/ME engineering background. I don't claim to be an expert at anything.

I was also on scene, and helped Craig get the remnants of the bolt out of the steering arm, collect the parts, and rig up a temporary fix to get his car in my trailer for a ride home.

The thing that motivated my post, was that several posts in my opinion had a tone that seemed to condemn the choice of hardware, based upon a few passages in a book, and without firsthand knowledge of the actual data relative to the stress analysis or development process. Maybe that's an interpretation problem on my part.

I'm not suggesting that there isn't room for productive discussion, I just personally think people need to back off on Cary a little. I have no connection with him, or ERP in any way except that I have used many of their products. The thing is, sometimes things have a way of gaining momentum in a negative direction, possibly without cause, and I had a sense of that.

Personally, I think the failure was fundamentally related to the bolt being loose, in conjunction with it's inverted installation.

Yes, #52 late model stock car, and previously pictured 930.

Randy

Randy, I thank you as I mentioned at the end of my post. And, your points are well taken. Thanks for the clarification.

You are correct in asserting that the negative or accusatory side of the issue be subdued. If my comments seemed out of line to you or anyone, please excuse them.

BTW, I Googled your name as apparently at least one other did and noticed your exploits as a racer. I also now know that you have a unique perspective on the issue.

Still no pic luck, tried again. You aren't missing much anyway..

:eek: worrying thread (thanks for sharing), i have just fitted this kit!

i am not into scaremongering and all that but i can't help thinking about this - my car is street only currently and used by my other half. theres more to hit on the street with no run off areas.

someone mentioned that this was not the first failure?

i will follow developments here with interest.

:(

OK.........IMO:

This was an isolated incident which happened to my car.

I've been around these kits as used on Porsche 911s - perhaps a hundred of them over the past 6 years.

I have never once heard of a failure; this includes cars that have gone off HARD at the track etc etc.

Check your critical equipment - TORQUE - before going out on track.

Inspect everything after an 'off'.

Don't freak out ;)

After reading this thread, saying what I've said, etc., I would buy and use these kits. This is certainly an isolated incident. Anything can happen at any time with a variety of products.

I'll wager I've heard of more factory rear hubs breaking than the steering kit breaking. I certainly have heard of more sway bar mounts breaking and that can have a big influence on the next turn.

Cary -

You have a PM re the replacement pieces

Cary Eisenlohr/ERP -

Re the bolt/replacement you offered -- I have not heard a thing from you for about 2 weeks.

Sent a PM and a post here........

I need to wrap this up!

Craig,

Any conclusions? Or did I miss a thread somewhere?!!!:)

Bought a new bolt, put it on a moved on......not much satisfaction from a few parties -

it looks to me like a grade 7 but i dont really know im just going with all the info on this thread. TimT you sound like you know what your talking about so dont bash me if im wrong

interesting and what sounded like a particularly critical thread for frequent track users. was a 'ball dropped' somewhere on finding the root cause of this problem and how to reduce the probablility of future failures? seems to be no follow-up on what the final consensus was..
ryan

Synopsis:

Was told from the mfg that the bolt was designed to be installed head up.
Beyond that.....