Safety Advice....
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Joined: May 2001
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From: Solana Beach, CA
Safety Advice....
You may have read of my wheel bearing plight...really all my fault. I should have had the axle nuts, especially the driver's rear, torqued to 300 Ft Lbs as a part of my pre-track technical inspection. Or at the track for that matter...I have a pal with just such a torque wrench in his trailer. In the future, I will be checking wheel bearing torque, maybe others will follow my lead on this.
As a result of the failed wheel bearing and axle, I will be paying for:
1. New hub, ruined as the bearing failed and the axle was flailing around,
2. New axles and bearings, both sides, the passenger side changed out as a precautionary measure. I guess I'll be getting new CV joints too.
I'll also be getting grief from my wife for this non budgeted expense. Late last year it was $2,300 to repair the synchros, went from brass to steel. 3rd gear synchro had failed...changed out 3rd, 4th and 5th...the gears I use most.
I expect the bill for the bearings, etc. will be in excess of $2,000, probably closer to $3,000 and the car won't be any faster, just a little safer. Just fresh back from picking up the car, a mere $2,700.
I could have done the work myself (maybe), but as Clint Eastwood said in the closing lines to Magnum Force, "A man has got to know his limitations!"
On a positive note, my car is back in shape, running great and I have a whole new season (2010) to run up some new bills, after all, its only money!
As a result of the failed wheel bearing and axle, I will be paying for:
1. New hub, ruined as the bearing failed and the axle was flailing around,
2. New axles and bearings, both sides, the passenger side changed out as a precautionary measure. I guess I'll be getting new CV joints too.
I'll also be getting grief from my wife for this non budgeted expense. Late last year it was $2,300 to repair the synchros, went from brass to steel. 3rd gear synchro had failed...changed out 3rd, 4th and 5th...the gears I use most.
I expect the bill for the bearings, etc. will be in excess of $2,000, probably closer to $3,000 and the car won't be any faster, just a little safer. Just fresh back from picking up the car, a mere $2,700.
I could have done the work myself (maybe), but as Clint Eastwood said in the closing lines to Magnum Force, "A man has got to know his limitations!"
On a positive note, my car is back in shape, running great and I have a whole new season (2010) to run up some new bills, after all, its only money!
Last edited by Martin S.; Jan 4, 2010 at 08:18 PM.
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From: So.CA
Yes, good deal that it was "only money," Marty! Glad that badboy did not let go at BigWillow's T8/T9!!
I have been hearing, of late, a small "click" at the rear on my Trackmeister when I turn at parking lot speeds: she makes quite the audible click once at the initiation of a turn, then is fine. But I'm a checking it out since I did have to replace a left-rear hub a couple of years ago. Spending the dough sucks, but the alternative is worse. Best to ya friend!
Edward
I have been hearing, of late, a small "click" at the rear on my Trackmeister when I turn at parking lot speeds: she makes quite the audible click once at the initiation of a turn, then is fine. But I'm a checking it out since I did have to replace a left-rear hub a couple of years ago. Spending the dough sucks, but the alternative is worse. Best to ya friend!
Edward
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 9,661
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From: Solana Beach, CA
Edward writes above, "Yes, good deal that it was "only money," Marty! Glad that badboy did not let go at BigWillow's T8/T9!!
I have been hearing, of late, a small "click" at the rear on my Trackmeister when I turn at parking lot speeds: she makes quite the audible click once at the initiation of a turn, then is fine. But I'm a checking it out since I did have to replace a left-rear hub a couple of years ago. Spending the dough sucks, but the alternative is worse. Best to ya friend!
Bearings for a SC are pretty cheap. I'd change them out every 2 years....don't wait for them to fail. Make sure your CV boots have plenty of grease too!!!!
Actually, that ill fated week end (It could have been worse), was intended to be a driver's delight, 1 day at Laguna Seca, followed by 2 days at Willow Springs.
The car started going goofy at Laguna Seca...I trailered it after session 3 out of 5. My mechanic and I thought it was a wheel sensor. The left rear was rechecked at the shop than off to Willow Springs.
First session at Willow the car didn't feel right...I looked around all seemed OK. The second session, probably after about 3 laps, down the front straight, the speedometer was swinging wildly and lots of dash indicator lights were on...I pulled in after that. That;s when I checked the wheel for play...there was plenty of play....that was the end of the weekend for me.
When I took the car in to see what was going on...that is when they discovered the axle not was missing on the drivers side left and the end of the axel sheared off.
The 300 Ft Lb Torque Wrench? I have not torqued the axle yet...I will as soon as I can borrow the wrench from a Porsche pal.
Thanks for your concern...hope to see you at the track soon...PCA is at Willow Springs end of January....I am thinking about going...it is so bloody cold.
I have been hearing, of late, a small "click" at the rear on my Trackmeister when I turn at parking lot speeds: she makes quite the audible click once at the initiation of a turn, then is fine. But I'm a checking it out since I did have to replace a left-rear hub a couple of years ago. Spending the dough sucks, but the alternative is worse. Best to ya friend!
Bearings for a SC are pretty cheap. I'd change them out every 2 years....don't wait for them to fail. Make sure your CV boots have plenty of grease too!!!!
Actually, that ill fated week end (It could have been worse), was intended to be a driver's delight, 1 day at Laguna Seca, followed by 2 days at Willow Springs.
The car started going goofy at Laguna Seca...I trailered it after session 3 out of 5. My mechanic and I thought it was a wheel sensor. The left rear was rechecked at the shop than off to Willow Springs.
First session at Willow the car didn't feel right...I looked around all seemed OK. The second session, probably after about 3 laps, down the front straight, the speedometer was swinging wildly and lots of dash indicator lights were on...I pulled in after that. That;s when I checked the wheel for play...there was plenty of play....that was the end of the weekend for me.
When I took the car in to see what was going on...that is when they discovered the axle not was missing on the drivers side left and the end of the axel sheared off.
The 300 Ft Lb Torque Wrench? I have not torqued the axle yet...I will as soon as I can borrow the wrench from a Porsche pal.
Thanks for your concern...hope to see you at the track soon...PCA is at Willow Springs end of January....I am thinking about going...it is so bloody cold.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,031
Likes: 5
From: San Diego, CA
But the upside was the engine made great HP in 40 deg temps and the brakes cooled much quicker.
ZP44
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