Trailing arm failures

[Tinster]

I had a rear wheel hub pull completely out of the aluminum
trailing arm at 40 mph on a gentle, banked curve. Scary

Didn't folks use to race these TR6's? What do I need to add to the rear hubs or the trailing arms in order not to have wheels fall off in switchback, mountains roads? I've got about
a constand 3 to 4 hours of switchbacks looking at me.

I don't have any spare hubs or spare trailing arms.

thanks for ther advice.

d

 

[tomshobby]

I take it that you are referring to an old issue that you have repaired.

I don't race anymore but on the way to a car show in July I passed a car in a full power four wheel drift and did not have to go back and pick up the wheels. Of course I did not slow to 40mph when I did it.

 

[angelfj1]

Dale: Can you clarify, please. Is this a new incident or are you referring to the original "accident". If a new incident you need to provide details. If you refer to the original time, I thought you replaced or repaired that trailing arm. Yes these cars have been and still are raced competitively. I'll ask the racers to comment about measures they they take to beef up these units, but the only 'repairs' that I am aware of are to use heli-coil type inserts when/if the original threads pull out. If you have already repaired your trailing arms I wouldn't be too concerned about another incident. It's not like you're planning to race through those switch-backs, are you? :shocked:

 

[DNK]

He's freaking out on us. Old injuries still haunting him. It is Halloween isn't it?

 

[Brosky]

Dale, step away from the car.......

Do not get any closer to the tool box, just slowly step away..............

 

[Tinster]

No I am referring to the teeny tiny 5/16" steel
studs that pull out of the aluminum trailings arms
when stressed during tight turns.

No new wheels have fallen off. Once in my lifetime
is enough. What did the racers do to modify this
obvious design weakness?

I just tyring to prep the car for a very difficult
mountain run.

d

 

[poolboy]

Is it really worth all the worry, Dale ? Mountain switchbacks sound like Jeep country. TR6's love country lanes.

 

[Tinster]

For sure I run my jeep in the mountains.
My Jeep never thrw a rear wheel at 40 mph.
My TR6 has.

I'm just wondering what the old timers did to their
rear wheel hubs from pulling out?

d

 

[poolboy]

How's the brakes ?

 

[tomshobby]

Noooo Ken, don't do that!!!

Paul has the right idea!

 

[DNK]

Valve job?

 

[Tinster]

How's the brakes ?

Brand new front and back but getting a bit mushy
after almost 1,000 miles driven without a breakdown.

Because I'm a diehard Wrangler guy, I tend not to use the
brakes very much in the mountains. Downshift to slow
and punch it coming out of the turns.

I know the TR6 will require a different driving style-
any suggestions? I just really worry about throwing a wheel
with no guardrails and 1000+ foot drops.

My valves are very well adjusted- no clickety-clacks.

There ARE NO country lanes on our mountainous island.
We've got beach highway and 4X4 roads. I'm sick of ocean
scenes. I want to experience death defying mountain runs
with landslides, goats and cattle. biker bars for cold ones!

d

 

[Marks6]

Dale,
Doesn't Roger Williams talk about using stepped studs in his "How to modify your TR6" book? I'm at work so don't have my copy with me.
I thought he spoke about using 5/16"UNF to 3/8"UNC studs. UNC is better for aluminum castings?
Of course, Loctite on everything! ;-)

Your planned trip sounds like a lot of fun. Just do it!

Mark

 

[startech47]

UNC is better for Aluminum. Heli-coils are better. Keenserts are best. I use Keenserts at work to put threaded holes into our Magnesium vibration plates for the shaker table. If there is any play between the table and the unit under test the results are invalid. The results can be dramatic at 20 G's. Keenserts have tangs that you drive in after the insert is threaded in. They are driven into the threads in the hole and the insert.

https://alcoafastener.thomasnet.com/category/keenserts-reg-inserts-general-purpose-inserts?&bc=1041|1042

 

[Brosky]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]I want to experience death defying mountain runs
with landslides, goats and cattle. biker bars for cold ones![/QUOTE]

Then I suggest that you take the very reliable and well designed for such roads, Jeep and have a good, safe time. No TR6 was made for traversing that terrain.

 

[poolboy]

Noooo Ken, don't do that!!!

Paul has the right idea!

I'm afraid Pandora's box has been opened.
Seriously, my concern would be for brakes and steering.
The rack mounted securly ? Just for peace of mind.

 

[angelfj1]

<span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">Brand new front and back but getting a bit mushy after almost 1,000 miles driven without a breakdown.</span></span>

Dale - <span style="font-weight: bold">getting mushy??? </span>- <span style="font-weight: bold">after only 1000 miles??? </span>your brakes should feel just as firm as they did when you replaced and adjusted them. <span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">Before you take this enduro run thing, do yourself a favor and adjust the rear brakes and bleed the system.</span></span>

 

[crj7driver]

Dale,

The failures you talk about are the actual hub failing, not the failure of the hub to the trailing arm which is what you are worried about. As long as you are not RACING (this does not include spirited driving, which we all do) with sticky tires you will be fine, so don't worry and drive it.

 

[2wrench]

Sorry, Dale, but I mean well, here. Gotta tell ya. I think the ground
clearance on a stock TR6 like ours is in the neighborhood of six inches.

It has occurred to ask about this as you mentioned some of the drive to
be back-road-ish, if you will.

I hit a piece of debris on the freeway and ripped out my speedo cable.
Still trying to fix that darned thing.

How about going kinda slow around some of the turns so as not to become
a statistic, kay? I don't want to ruin things here, but........but is
this vehicle appropriate for the terrain?

Landng in a pile of cow dung is one thing. 1,000 foot drop??? Well, that's
another. Be safe and live to drive another day.

 

[Tinster]

Will do Frank!! Brakes tune up it is.
Paul- my Jeep is for serious boulder bouncing.
My TR6 is for roaring around on testosterone.

On my list of items to accomplish before the Enduro.
Adjust the breaks, swap out the ignition, tire pressure,
oil level full, full tank of high octane-pedal to the metal
all the way. Antique driving glasses.

Jimmy Clark was my all time favorite hero. I watched
him crash and die in 1968 from a failed rear tire.
There are certainly worse ways to die.

I'll be flying. Paul, I'll be flying!! 17 years old
in a magic TR6 riding the verdant skyline ridge of the
central mountains of a tropical isle. What could be better?
Kinda like John Denver in his speedo plane. Full out!!

d [size:17pt]<span style="color: #996633">YEE HAH !!![/</span>size]