stig2
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| posted on 12/1/10 at 08:16 AM |
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De-dion Safety Issues
Good morning all,
Has someone on this site have any influence or can contact Darren George? I have some major structural and safety issues over a De-dion axle I
recently purchased from him. I have tried e-mailing and phoneing with no luck, this is his last chance now before I go down the legal route.
Thanks in advance.
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Mr Whippy
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| posted on 12/1/10 at 08:24 AM |
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any chance its snapped in the middle?
Fame is when your old car is plastered all over the internet
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stig2
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| posted on 12/1/10 at 08:30 AM |
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No, but looking at it, thats the first place it will fail. This component will not under any circumstances be fitted to my vehicle. I don't
want to say too much at the moment as the axle is under going weld xray and structural compliance for purpose.
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Yorkie
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| posted on 12/1/10 at 08:30 AM |
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I have recently fitted mine, what should I look out for?
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oldtimer
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| posted on 12/1/10 at 08:31 AM |
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You will want flak monkey or eddie99 - these are the two people on here who assist when GTS fail in the civilised habits of pay/supply/communicate.
Best of luck.
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iank
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| posted on 12/1/10 at 08:33 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Mr Whippy
any chance its snapped in the middle?
The original thread for that issue was deleted.
This thread mentions it and implies those problems were fixed (though the design is inherently more risky than the mandrel bent style).
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=71335
--
Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.
Anonymous
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Mr Whippy
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| posted on 12/1/10 at 08:36 AM |
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A GTS axle snapping has happened before due to poor weld penetration, IIFC it was CalvinX’s car to but that was a while ago and I might be wrong about
whose car it was.
I have a GTS axle in my garage that I’m not too keen on selling on tbh even though someone is interested in buying it right now as I think the design
is flawed and the weld looks quite shallow. The main tube would be far better bent than welded in the middle.
Fame is when your old car is plastered all over the internet
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mcerd1
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| posted on 12/1/10 at 08:53 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Mr Whippy
The main tube would be far better bent than welded in the middle.
you got any pics ?
my Dax ones welded in the middle and I've never heard of any problems with them
[Edited on 12/1/10 by mcerd1]
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stig2
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| posted on 12/1/10 at 08:59 AM |
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Hi Yorkie,
In my case it is welds that have been completely missed off no weld penetration around the link arm mtgs excessive weld splatter (looks like someones
thrown a handfull of rice at it and then covered it in paint), the centre joint looks like they have filled a bigger gap at the rear of the tube than
at the front.
Just to let everyone know that this is not a rant but a very concerned customer. My job is a senior design engineer working for one of the biggest
chassis/coachbuilders in the world and I have been in the same field of design for 35 years, so to recieve a part in this condition has very
frightened indeed.
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iank
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| posted on 12/1/10 at 09:04 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by mcerd1
quote:
Originally posted by Mr Whippy
The main tube would be far better bent than welded in the middle.
you got any pics ?
my Dax ones welded in the middle and I've never heard of any problems with them
[Edited on 12/1/10 by mcerd1]
Here's a picture of the MK De-dion. Only possible to make them that way with a mandrel bender which is why so many are welded.
--
Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.
Anonymous
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Mr Whippy
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| posted on 12/1/10 at 09:05 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by mcerd1
quote:
Originally posted by Mr Whippy
The main tube would be far better bent than welded in the middle.
you got any pics ?
my Dax ones welded in the middle and I've never heard of any problems with them
No not with me
Just my own opinion of the weld but to me it looks too cold and not deep enough. I was originally going to add a plate over it to stiffen it up much
like you see on bike frames. When I saw Marks one fail my confidence in whoever it was making them plummeted, maybe that’s different now but I’m not
surprised about hearing another axle issue.
Having had the suspension snap on a production car (my last bluebird due to bad factory welding on a trailing rod) and just missing a high speed head
on with a golf as my car went mental. The last thing I want to do is give that risk to anyone else, so may just scrap my axle instead.
[Edited on 12/1/10 by Mr Whippy]
Fame is when your old car is plastered all over the internet
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MikeR
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| posted on 12/1/10 at 09:07 AM |
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Who's got the popcorn?
Stig2 - please be careful about what you write. From what you've said it sounds like there may be an issue with your axle. If you post things
inappropriately here it may prejudice any action you bring against GTS. Check with your solicitor before you say anything & it should hopefully
protect the forum from the risk of being sued as well.
A previous forum member did have an issue with a GTS axle, i believe it was sorted in the end but for reasons only he knows he left the forum some
time later and deleted all his posts / topics started. Unless the internet time machine / way back machine has his posts you're not going to
find out any more.
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graememk
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| posted on 12/1/10 at 09:13 AM |
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it was mark (calvinx) who had a little problem with his de-dion, no longer posting on this site though but i think hes still about under a different
name. so i'm sure he will u2u you
the problem he has with his was that it had another chunch of tube welded in the middle
[Edited on 12/1/10 by graememk]
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stig2
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| posted on 12/1/10 at 09:15 AM |
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Mike R,
I completely understand what you say, but if the supplier is ingnoring you what are we supposed to do? This is the reason for my original post so he
may read this and make an effort to contact me.
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eddie99
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| posted on 12/1/10 at 11:38 AM |
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Will send you an U2U now
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NOTE:This user is registered as a LocostBuilders trader and may offer commercial services to other users
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big-vee-twin
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| posted on 12/1/10 at 12:15 PM |
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I've just fitted my De Dion from GTS got it in November and to be fair it looks ok but I going to really have a good look at it tonight I will
let you know my findings.
Looked over last night and all welds appear good - formed correctly and full length
[Edited on 13/1/10 by big-vee-twin]
Duratec Engine is fitted, MS2 Extra V3 is assembled and tested, engine running, car now built. IVA passed 26/02/2016
http://www.triangleltd.com
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big-vee-twin
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| posted on 12/1/10 at 12:19 PM |
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Here's a link to a picture of my GTS De Dion any comments?
link
Duratec Engine is fitted, MS2 Extra V3 is assembled and tested, engine running, car now built. IVA passed 26/02/2016
http://www.triangleltd.com
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Yorkie
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| posted on 12/1/10 at 01:49 PM |
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Hi stig2, thanks for the info.
I will also check mine tonight.
 
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MikeRJ
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| posted on 12/1/10 at 03:36 PM |
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Someone (sorry can't remember who) cut the tube on their GTS axle close to the ends and welded in a straight bit of tube, the result was
certainly more confidence inspiring and allowed a decent amount of clearance for the Panhard rod which is always an issue with these axles.
Personaly I've never been very keen on the GTS axle design, though the link above shows the welded part can be strong enough. Whether any
particular axle would have survived the same test is another question.
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fesycresy
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| posted on 12/1/10 at 03:54 PM |
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I like the look of the MK design.
It's a pity they stopped offering it, I think it would out handle a few IRS cars 
[Edited on 12/1/10 by fesycresy]
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The sooner you fall behind, the more time you'll have to catch up.
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