During a routine check around the car found one of my rear axle trailing arm brackets didn't look quite right.

Ok it was welded on 11 years ago the weld was ok it was the box section it was welded to that had a hairline crack in it, removed the trailing arm and found by putting a bar through it I could peel it off, once off it was apparent it had been like it a while undetected as the crack was dirty.

Moral, check your suspension pick up points on a regular basis, I do but had missed this one it was hard to spot though, get the wheels off and get your head in there.

Totally agree Jon, I carry out a routine nut & bolt check and inspection before every track day and it's suprising/worrying how often I find a fault. Barry

I've heard of this problem on westfields with the same / similar trailing arm bracket design hence my additions - part of the issue is supposed to be due to the bracket not being fully supported by the tube its welded too. My solution is to make the mounting the full width of the trailing arm bracket and make it run from the top to bottom of the tube it mounts too. Hopefully the extra metal will help take the forces and stop it happening to me (although running out of petrol is more likely before I get the car on the road).

Reminds me of how we met Jon!!!

You and I racing from the Newark show (?) and when I tried to go round the outside of you on a roundabout, I was going pretty sideways, which meant I was naturally looking at your back Pax wheel and it was wobbling like a good-un!

Funny thing was you were driving pretty well and I had to get in front just to tell you that your wheel might be falling off!

It was a damn good few miles!!!

Remember it well, slightly bent 1/2 shaft was the cause, to many curbs on track.............