Hi Don,
I may be wrong but I think the loading the axle sees in autocrossing is
similiar, if not the same , as a road race car. Ken Gillanders claims that
axle breakage on the the West Coast is rare yet we've seen a number of
incidents on the East. Maybe it is the bending load in combination with the
shock load of the generally worse circuits (potholes, surface changes,
etc.) in the East. Who knows.
One thing for certain, these axles, in many cases, have probably seen most
on their service life and have fatigued. I think a lot of what we now
seeing is breakage in axles that have been raced for a long time. And the
engines are getting stronger.... And the tires are getting more grip....
Please do put in a beefed up cage, for safetys sake...If you'd like to go
on the "Axle Interested" list, I'd be happy to add you.....We have 10
people on it now.
Regards,
Chip
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From: DLMAssoc@aol.com[SMTP:DLMAssoc@aol.com]
Sent: Thursday, June 12, 1997 7:44 AM
To: fot@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: TR axle breaks under autox conditions?
I've been watching the TR3-4 axle breakage thread and wondered whether the
same problems have been occuring under autocross conditions or just in road
racing. My TR4 only has what I'd consider to be a borderline roll bar
installed. I didn't figure I was in much danger of a rollover or
collision,
but if there's a history of violent wheel separation, I need to invest in a
more serious bar or cage.
Thanks...
Don Marshall
'63 TR4 EP
'63 T3B EP in progress
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