Vintage Motorsports Council :: Mechanical Failures

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Mechanical Failures

All Cars
	Date:		6/71
..........	Source:	..........	Sportscar (SCCA)
	Problem:		Leather hold-down strap failure
	Action:		Two systems for fastening hood should be used to prevent loss of hood
..........

AH Sprite and MG Midget
	Date:		6/63
..........	Source:	..........	Sportscar (SCCA)
	Purpose:		Safety
	Action:		Add 1" rebound block in front suspension
..........

	Date:		6/63
..........	Source:	..........	Sportscar (SCCA)
	Action: Purpose:		Heavy duty front (Q2334) and rear (Q2335, AHA5468) springs may be used
..........

Alfa Romeo
	Date:		4/65
..........	Source:	..........	Sportscar (SCCA)
	Problem:		Failure of rear torque brackets on each side of rear axle housing mounts
	Action:		Inspect and reinforce
..........

All 1965-69 Chevrolets (except Corvettes)
..........	Source:	..........	1971 DOT Bulletin #2-71
	Problem:		Left engine mount failure
	Action:		Inspect and reinforce
..........

Ford” rear axles in Anglias, Lotus Cortinas and Cortina GT.
	Date:		5/97
..........	Source:	..........	Letter from participant
	Problem:		Axle failure where bearing pushes onto axle
	Action:		Replace with stronger axles made from better materials
..........

Ford” rear axles in Anglias, Lotus Cortinas and Cortina GT.
	Date:		5/00
..........	Source:	..........	Letter from racer/restorer
	Problem:		Axle failure where bearing pushes onto axle
	Action:		Replace with new axle shafts with heavy duty bearing assemblies
..........


	Date:		5/00
..........	Source:	..........	Letter from racer/restorer
	Problem:		Front spindle failure at bearing stub
	Action:		Replace with ‘70 Falcon, Fairlane, or Cougar; 71-74 Comet, etc.
..........


	Date:		5/00
..........	Source:	..........	Letter from racer/restorer
	Problem:		Broken and rusty welds
	Action:		Dip unibody and stitch and seam weld to reinforce old welds.
..........

Jaguar XK-120
	Date:		2/00
..........	Source:	..........	Letter from participant
	Problem:		Original manufacturer steel disc wheel failure at centers
	Action:		Replace with Jaguar Mk-9 sedan wheels
..........


	Date:		2/00
..........	Source:	..........	Letter fromparticipant
	Problem:		Rear axle breakage
	Action:		No known repair known. Magnaflux and observe frequently
..........

Lotus Elan
	Date:		6/65
..........	Source:	..........	Sportscar (SCCA)
	Problem:		Rubber drive donut failure
	Action:		Inspect and replace
..........

	Date:		7/97
..........	Source:	..........	Report from RMVR
	Problem:		Rear stub axle failure
	Action:		Inspect and replace
..........

Lotus Super 7
	Date:		6/63
..........	Source:	..........	Sportscar (SCCA)
	Problem:		Chassis front end failure
	Action:		Add additional 3/4" o.d. x .048 mild steel tubes per manufacturer’s drawing.
..........

MGA
	Date:		.
..........	Source:	..........	Mark Palmer, MG Vintage Racers’ Newsletter
	Problem:		Failure of original disc wheels, both earlier “1500" style and later “1600" style
	Action:		Regular magnafluxing. Avoid wider wheels and tires
..........

	Date:		.
..........	Source:	..........	Mark Palmer, MG Vintage Racers’ Newsletter
	Problem:		Front hub failure on disc-wheeled equipped MGA’s
	Action:		Regular magnafluxing. Avoid wider aftermarket alloy wheels and wider tires
..........

	Date:		.
..........	Source:	..........	Mark Palmer, MG Vintage Racers’ Newsletter
	Problem:		Front hub failure on wire wheel equipped MGA’s
	Action:		Regular magnafluxing. Avoid wider aftermarket alloy wheels and wider tires
..........

	Date:		.
..........	Source:	..........	Mark Palmer, MG Vintage Racers’ Newsletter
	Problem:		Front suspension king pin failure at base of threaded portion
	Action:		Regular magnafluxing. Avoid wider aftermarket alloy wheels and wider tires
..........

MG TD/TF/MGA
	Date:		.
..........	Source:	..........	Mark Palmer, MG Vintage Racers’ Newsletter
	Problem:		Cracking where steering arm fits into stub axle
	Action:		Replace with later steering arms stub axles, etc.
..........

MG TD/TF/MGA
	Date:		.
..........	Source:	..........	Mark Palmer, MG Vintage Racers’ Newsletter
	Problem:		Cracking where steering arm fits into stub axle
	Action:		Replace with later steering arms stub axles, etc.
..........

MGB
	Date:		6/63
..........	Source:	..........	Sportscar (SCCA)
	Problem:		Safety
	Action:		Front springs (AHA5789) may be used
..........

Porche
	Date:		6/63
..........	Source:	..........	Sportscar (SCCA)
	Problem:		Safety
	Action:		Rear wheels spacers may be utilized when 60mm width front brakes are fitted.
..........

Triumph Spitfire
	Date:		6/63
..........	Source:	..........	Sportscar (SCCA)
	Problem:		Safety
	Action:		Rear suspension camber compensator may be used
..........

Formula Cars
Mechanical Failures

All Formula Cars
	Date:		11/98
..........	Source:	..........	Report from VARA
	Problem:		Failure of steering universal joints
	Action:		Inspect for proper assembly and repair as needed
..........

All Formula Fords
	Date:		6/71
..........	Source:	..........	Sportscar (SCCA)
	Problem:		Ball joint failure
	Action:		Install oversized washer in a position so that washer will retain yoke in th event of the ball joint failure
..........

	Date:		1972
..........	Source:	..........	Sportscar (SCCA)
	Problem:		Cracks in steel wheels
	Action:		Inspect closely for cracks particularly in the area of stud holes and where the wheel center bears against the edges of the hub or hub adaptor
..........

Hawke DL-2 FF
	Date:		5/97
..........	Source:	..........	Report from RMVR
	Problem:		Lower front “A” frame separated from spindle
	Action:		As lower trunion broke at internal threaded location, check all parts during assembly of components. Replace as necessary
..........

Lola T-70
	Date:		2/2001
..........	Source:	..........	Report from IEI
	Problem:		Suspected left rear A-arm failure
	Action:		Frequently inspect and replace entire rear suspension components at least every 10 years
..........

Lola T-200 FF
	Date:		10/97
..........	Source:	..........	Report from RMVR
	Problem:		Front stub axle failure due to machine work done on original part to compensate for wider American bearing width.
	Action:		Use proper sized components and do not modify original part
..........

Merlyn FF
	Date:		9/2000
..........	Source:	..........	Report from RMVR
	Problem:		Rear stub axle failure near flange
	Action:		Frequently inspect and replace periodically
..........

Royale Supervee
	Date:		7/97
..........	Source:	..........	Report from RMVR
	Problem:		Failure of fabricated rear upright
	Action:		Have any fabricated parts done by a knowledgeable professional
..........

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