[DML] Re: Front Suspension Mod's

["tmpintnl" <tobyp@xxxx>]

Walt, et al - 

Are the photo's or other information regarding this lower control arm 
failure available? Data like this can help pin-point areas of high 
loads and also where stress concentrations exist in the current 
configuration. Part of the logic that I am using in my deliberations 
on this topic is that providing for "load sharing" would lower some 
localized stresses, and reduce the amount of bending and deflections 
that cause steel and other materials to crack due to fatigue. The 
reduced bending would also enhance handling because the geometry of 
the suspension would remain more stable and accurate. I am going to 
try this out on my car, and try to draw some conclusions with regards 
to load-sharing and possible suspension binding. I may be able to 
instrument some of the suspension members with strain gauges to 
measure actual induced loads during driving. (As they say - In God we 
trust ... all others must bring data!). I want to commend those who 
have contributed very thoughtful posts on this subject. As I have 
said earlier - the power of a large group of interested people working 
on a problem can be awesome.

Toby Peterson VIN 2248
Winged1 


--- In dmcnews@xxxx, "Walter Coe" <Whalt@xxxx> wrote:
Included were photos of Tom Long's lower control arm that 
failed under normal use. This was a stress fracture that grew over 
time. It was a miracle that the piece broke while the car was parked 
overnight and not being driven.