<VV> Warning on FC front suspension bolts

[D. Barry Ellison]

I failed my initial tech inspection in Canada at Mosport due to the bolts 
holding the upper arm were loose on one side.  They could be turned by 
fingers.  Once that side was fixed, the other side had the same problem but 
not quite as loose.

And I was about to be running 100mph regularly.  Non-good.

Thank goodness for track tech inspections.

Seems like an area to check everytime you rotate tires.

Barry
usually in SC, but in TN this week for a few days.

>
>Daniel,
>Good advice. Glad you were ok. Also, a prior owner may have replaced the 
>proper grade of bolts with hardware store variety, which are much weaker 
>(unless Grade Five or Eight were used as required).  We should all do 
>safety checks routinely.
>Chuck S
>BBRT
>----- Original Message ----- From: "D. Monasterio" 
><dmonasterio at megared.net.mx>
>To: "virtualvairs" <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
>Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2007 10:29 PM
>Subject: <VV> Warning on FC front suspension bolts
>
>
>   Today, while driving to work in my 62 Rampside, I heard a metalic sound 
>(a bolt falling out of place) and one second after she pulled suddenly to 
>the right. Fortunately I was on the right lane, at about 30 mph, as I was 
>next to turn to right and had plenty of space to stop, while trying to hold 
>the steering wheel on a straight line. After stoping, I notice the front 
>left wheel twisted with the upper side inboard. At inspecting below the 
>front end, found that the 2 front bolts of the left A arm (lower) were 
>missing. A further inspection revealed that one was broken time ago and the 
>other one just before the incident.
>   Towed (embarrasing) the Rampy to my shop, took the 67 cpe. and went to 
>work. After work I took off the threaded thick plate where the bolts 
>attach, took out the remains of the broken bolts, put new ones and checked 
>all the other bolts on that area. Rampy is ready to work again.
>   On the first chance I'll change all the bolts and/or fasteners on both 
>front and rear suspensions for safety. This time I was lucky but, on 
>different circunstances, I could provoque a fatal accident just for not 
>thinking that bolts (as us) after more than 40 years can (and should) 
>fatigue and fail.
>
>   Saludos
>
>   Daniel Monasterio
>   Guadalajara, Mexico