crash - broken wishbone

[peterux]

Originally Posted by 5EXi girl

Hello builders

We are very happy to offer a safety check if any of you are at all worried about the wishbone/suspension components supplied in your kit. We will freely replace any of those components any hint of faultiness :-)

Kind Regards
Terry & Mark

Thanks for the update, Terry.
Can you elaborate on the process for getting wishbones replaced?

If you emaill one of us a photo of the new type we will host it, so that we can all see what the uprated wishbone looks like.

Peter

[5EXi girl]

The new wish bones use screw in ball joints as opposed to the originals which were press in types.

This should help as we do not have a picture at present.
Cheers
Terry

[Patrick]

Thanks Terry!

[peterux]

Has anybody had an update on the availability of the new front wishbones?

I had an email from Terry on the 22 Jan indicating that they were about to start fabrication of the new wishbones the following week and that they would be available in 2/3 weeks but not heard anymore since

cheers

Peter

[Patrick]

Last I heard it was the same as you 2/3 weeks.

[alackofspeed]

Same story over in 5EXI land - at the end of Jan', 2/3 weeks for 5EXI suspension predicted.

[Patrick]

I've had word today that they will be working on the components next week.

[RobDorey]

Looks like my wishbones are the same as yours Patrick.

I put a DTI on mine with the car jacked up and measured the flex when let down. There is considerable flex with just the cars weight let alone driving down a bumpy lane.
I have already had to modify the shock mounting a while back and, for peace of mind, I think that a couple of strengthening gussets either side of the ball joint would be good.

[Patrick]

My turn to plead dumb, what's a DTI

[RobDorey]

Dial test indicator.

It's the clock-like thingy that engineers use to measure tolerance/movement between to components.
If you ever have to rebuild and Differential unit, you use one of these to measure the backlash between the gears.
I have one with a magnetic base so you stick the base on the wishbone arm and place the plunger of the DTI on the ball joint plate.
The dial needle deflects if the plate flexes.

[MartinClan]

Originally Posted by RobDorey

I put a DTI on mine with the car jacked up and measured the flex when let down. There is considerable flex with just the cars weight let alone driving down a bumpy lane.

[peterux]

Originally Posted by MartinClan

I think just about sums it up!

[peterux]

Hi Patrick,
have you got your wishbones and mudgard stays replaced yet?
You must be itching to get your car back on the road for the spring weather.

cheers

Peter

[Patrick]

No unfortunately I've not got any parts yet Terry has said the wishbones are ready to go, however they won't cover to lots of postage so I've asked all parts to be sent in one go when they are ready which means I'll have another weeks wait for the mud guard stays, steering rack, track rod ends, bushes and ball joints.

And yes, every time I look out the window on Saturday morning and it's a nice day I'd rather be out in the car than under it in the garage!

[peterux]

Originally Posted by 5EXi girl

Hello builders

Thought we would have clarify the situation over one paragraph in our newsletter which refers to the new Sportster front suspension upgrade components.

This upgrade was brought about in order to reduce the number of different ball joints that were used on the Sportsters front suspension arms. In the past there were two types used now there is only the one, i.e. the same ball joint is now used both on the top and bottom of the upright.

The ball joint we have now decided to use is much more easy to obtain, less expensive, but most of all it looks better ;-)

We are very happy to offer a safety check if any of you are at all worried about the wishbone/suspension components supplied in your kit. We will freely replace any of those components any hint of faultiness :-)

Kind Regards
Terry & Mark

I’ve been in correspondence with Terry and Mark Mathews over the replacement of my front lower suspension arms.
Mark has now clarified that there is a “minimal” charge to customers for replacing the older type suspension arms like the one above that broke.
I had misunderstood their post to imply that this was a free upgrade.

To avoid any confusion, I would suggest anyone requesting replacement arms should first clarify the price of upgraded arms plus bushes and balljoints if they need replacing.

cheers, Peter

[peterux]

Originally Posted by Patrick

No unfortunately I've not got any parts yet Terry has said the wishbones are ready to go, however they won't cover to lots of postage so I've asked all parts to be sent in one go when they are ready which means I'll have another weeks wait for the mud guard stays, steering rack, track rod ends, bushes and ball joints.

And yes, every time I look out the window on Saturday morning and it's a nice day I'd rather be out in the car than under it in the garage!

Any sign of your replacement parts from Marlin yet?

It must be nearly three months since your crash.............

[Patrick]

I spoke to Terry on Monday she was going to be picking up the mud guard stays yesterday so I'm hoping she'll be able to send them today (next day I hope so I can put the whole thing together over the long weekend!)

[MartinClan]

Thanks for the update Patrick.

I will have to find out what is happening about my replacements.

Did you get the remap for your engine done? It will be interesting to see what the "new" engine goes like.

Cheers

Robin

[Patrick]

Originally Posted by MartinClan

Thanks for the update Patrick.

I will have to find out what is happening about my replacements.

Did you get the remap for your engine done? It will be interesting to see what the "new" engine goes like.

Cheers

Robin

When it rains... the chip got lost in the post so that should be with me by the weekend as well

[Patrick]

I got an email from Terry, parts are in the post today so I should receive tomorrow