Does my shipping company owe me money?

[BRAIDusa]

This is how the car showed up Monday evening:






and four miles later:




Broken Torsion bar/s. At least, that's what I'm hoping.





So four miles into my first Porsche and I'm ripping into the suspension.

Do you think 650 miles of jouncing on the truck with the torsion bars potentially under a bending load might cause them to break? Do I have a case?

[redstrosekNic]

The orientation of those straps would irritate me. They should have been through an "in-between" section of the Fuchs spokes, pulling toward the rear of the car, and the front of the car, if that makes sense. It doesn't look like the truck driver knows *gentle* car transport too well.

[ossiblue]

IMO, you don't have a case.

Though the strapping of the wheels is not typical (I agree with Dustin's assessment, above), I don't see how that could bend the torsion bar to the degree in which failure could ensue. Remember, the wheel is bolted to the rotor which is in turn bolted to the swing arm and the swing arm is secured to the near center of the torsion tube. Any outward pull on the wheel would be limited severely by the swing arm and the bushings surrounding the torsion bar itself. How much bending deflection could there be, even if your theory is correct?

It will be interesting to see where the bar broke but I just don't see how a 650 mile trip could fatigue good torsion bars enough for a failure, even if they were under bending pressure as limited as I believe you have.

Note: the above is only my opinion based on general knowledge of the suspension system. Experts on the tensile strength of torsion bars and wear limits of bushings may and will offer another view which may bolster your assertion. Whatever the opinions, please keep us up to date on what you find.

[Dan J]

I'm with LJ. While I wouldn't have strapped the car that way it didn't break the torsion bar

[byfdinky]

The transporter has no clue and no remorse on transporting your baby in such a unacceptable way. Did he have to go thru any weigh station and was able to proceed like that? Good luck

[zippy_gg]

Depending on the "injury" of the car you may want to contact the seller of the car and you may have a valid claim with eBay.
The car may not be as advertised... JM2CW.

[Rot 911]

The way the car was strapped down, or transported, had nothing to do with the torsion bar breaking. Old cars, bars rust and break. Pull the bars, check the housings for rust. If a broken bar is all that is wrong, buy two new ones, replace, and be happy.

[boyt911sc]

Originally Posted by Rot 911

The way the car was strapped down, or transported, had nothing to do with the torsion bar breaking. Old cars, bars rust and break. Pull the bars, check the housings for rust. If a broken bar is all that is wrong, buy two new ones, replace, and be happy.

Paul,

If you need OEM rear torsion bars, I'll donate a set for your need. What year is your car? Just found these which I have totally forgotten sitting in my basement while doing some house keeping today.



If the TB is broken, replace both side. Keep us posted.

Tony

[KTL]

A lot of guys who trailer their cars for track use have wheel nets to secure the car. Nothing wrong with that, as it allows the car to jounce up and down on the suspension. I'd be more bothered if the car was left in gear, parking brake released, throughout the whole trip

[pete3799]

I'm sure the way it was transported had nothing to do with the broken TB.

[dtw]

I have towed hundreds of cars, dozens of 911s, for tens of thousands of miles using all kinds of ways to secure them to various trailers and tow trucks. The way he strapped your rear end is far from optimal, but I highly doubt it caused the torsion bar failure. I was already suspecting you'd been sold a 'story' by the PO, then I saw that missing torsion bar endcap in your photo. Direct your energy toward the PO, something smells.

[tobluforu]

I think the person you bought it from owes you money, unless they used a crane and dropped it on to the truck bed from 10 feet or higher.

[McLovin]

Nobody owes you anything.

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by boyt911sc

Paul,

If you need OEM rear torsion bars, I'll donate a set for your need. What year is your car? Just found these which I have totally forgotten sitting in my basement while doing some house keeping today...

+1 for Tony

[donporfi]

If you did not insure the car for transport you do not get anything.
The shipping/logistics industry is not responsible for anything if the cargo is not insured.

[juanbenae]

the sag is not present while the car is on the truck. the way it was strapped down would not prevent the sag shown in the "4 miles later" shot. i think it jus gave up at the time you took delivery. great chance to dig into a rear suspension rebuilt.

[brock911]

I shall second the ++1 for Tony... very generous. While you're down in that basement of yours Tony let me know if you find anything else you want to donate?
Regards,
Mike

Originally Posted by boyt911sc

Paul,

If you need OEM rear torsion bars, I'll donate a set for your need. What year is your car? Just found these which I have totally forgotten sitting in my basement while doing some house keeping today.



If the TB is broken, replace both side. Keep us posted.

Tony

[maui44]

++++for Tony.
Good karma will come his way.

I think based on all the good feedback you have recieved, I would be talking with the PO.

Good Luck

[BRAIDusa]

Originally Posted by boyt911sc

Paul,

If you need OEM rear torsion bars, I'll donate a set for your need. What year is your car? Just found these which I have totally forgotten sitting in my basement while doing some house keeping today.



If the TB is broken, replace both side. Keep us posted.

Tony

Thanks Tony but I picked up a pair form a guy 30 minutes away with almost the exact same car, prepping it for the same ax class as me who pulled his OE bars out today! Talk about coincidence. if they turn out to be duds I'll give you a shout.

Thanks

[BRAIDusa]

Hey, thanks for all the input.

I pulled the torsion bars today.




The left one broke at the inner splines. You can see where the crack began and propagated out in a spiral. Very impressive.




That's the broken end still in the torsion tube. I describe the tube and the bars as "pristine"








So is there a typical cause for this?

I picked up some OE bars from a chap 30 minutes away with almost the exact same car who is prepping it for the same autocross class as I'm running next year and who took his bars out today. Uncanny.

I should get it all back together tomorrow.


So I'm still amazed that this broke just four miles into my ownership. Are there things that can precipitate this besides the odd way of strapping the car down? When I saw it I thought it was unusual. Unusual enough to snap a picture at least but I never thought it would have damaged the car. In fact I thought it a little creative. The PO has been dead straight with me through the entire sale. I have no beef with him' unless someone can tell me he could possibly know the bar was about to break. Even if I thought it was the transport company's fault I probably wouldn't pursue it. I'd never get anywhere and just make myself angry.

So, assuming it falls back together tomorrow it will have been a very interesting, satisfying and inexspensive experience, apart from my time of course. I have now bonded wth the car and feel I can take on almost any problem it might throw at me. I hope it doesn't test me on this one however.

Thanks for everyone's feedback and generosity. Aren't old Porsches fun.