Hey guys,

We raced a 3rd gen in the 24 hours of lemons race this past weekend and a very bizarre failure knocked us out. We bent both steering knuckles. They were bent towards the center of the car. I guess I just don't see how we were able to bend them since they are solid forged steel. Has anyone ever heard of this? Is there any way to prevent it next year? We beat the crap out of it heading into every corner but I can't see how we could bend them.

Caleb

 

new to me

pics?
thanks

 

it happened to me, at first i tought it was my tie rods, and after replacing them i still had the steering problems, so i took a better look and i noticed the steering knuckle was bent, anywas it does happen.

 

I wouldn't mind seeing a picture either. Just to get a better idea of where and how they bent. Any heat marks on the metal?

The knuckle is cast steel. The pin (where the wheel rides) is forged steel and pressed into the knuckle.

It may be that there was too much heat. This would soften the metal and allow it to bend. Then the severe braking and cornering forces helping it along.

RBob.

 

rbob i can gladly take some pictures , anyways. this is how it works. metal any metal,when we see it , we see it as just a non moving thing, but in fact metal is formed by molecules , that expand with heat, and contracts with cold temperatures, thats why rail road tracks are not connected toguether . anyways when metal reaches certain hot temperature, it reaches its weakest point, so just imagine all the pounds of force hiting a pot hole will send to that metal. wich causes it to bent. i will post pictures tomorrow

 

happy fathers day