My Shaft Broke

[blind_elk]

While out driving last night (Thursday), I heard a loud "bang", like I had run over something and kicked it up against the bodywork. Then I could hear something rattling. I checked under the car, but could find nothing evident. Tonight I jacked up the rear of the car and discovered this:

The top 5cm of the RH shaft had snapped cleanly off, so that now only the spring (Kings lowered) is controlling the rear RH quarter. It hasn't adversely affected the ride or handling of the car, but I'm glad that the GOR drive I was going on on Sunday has been cancelled.

I've emailed Quadrant Suspensions in Berwick to see what they can do for me.

[Duncan]

jeebus. 2nd broken shock this month. I'd love any theories about how that happens in a double wishbone setup....loose or missing bottom nut is the only way I can think of

[Dobz]

The metal could have been hardened too much causing the shaft to fracture, then break rather than flexing and absorbing force.

Depending on how many shafts they harden at a time there could have been a batch that slipped through QC or the guy testing them didn't care that they were a bit harder than the tolerance.

[blind_elk]

The Bilsteins are nearly 10 years old, so I doubt it's a manufacturing fault. And I've driven over the piece of road hundreds of times without incident.

I'm wondering if it is related to the problem I had recently with the front RH outer ball joint.

[Dobz]

I forgot to ask if it broke off right at the shoulder?

[blind_elk]

Might have, can't tell since I haven't removed the whole assembly from the car. The car needs to be mobile for the moment.

Anyone know where I will find the P/N on the strut? (although they've change to new P/Ns recently)

[boiracer]

um your still driving it??? sounds hazardous.

ive seen this on a few cars, my brothers Kombi snapped a shock while sailing up the beach and it was painful to drive home on the road. if a broken shock doesnt adversely effect the ride...chances are they are all rooted anyways.

[blind_elk]

um your still driving it??? sounds hazardous.

No. I drove it home in the first instance (not realising what was wrong, but happy that the car was still driving ok), then parked it in the driveway until I worked out what was wrong and got it fixed. It's just that I have another car in the garage, so I need to be able to move the 32 out of the way.

[Dobz]

Post up some close up pics of the break when you pull it out. I'm gonna take a stab and say it's fatigued after a decent service life and snapped off at the shoulder which is the weakest point. A contributer could be an insufficent radius in the bottom corner of the shoulder causing a more concentrated stress point.

[blind_elk]

Just spoke to Quadrant. They say they can service them with a replacement shaft. Best to get both rears done at the same time. (Seems a replacement assembly might not be available, and if it is then it could be several weeks).

Problem is getting the shocks from Werribee to Berwick - anyone able to help out there?

[boiracer]

No. I drove it home in the first instance (not realising what was wrong, but happy that the car was still driving ok), then parked it in the driveway until I worked out what was wrong and got it fixed. It's just that I have another car in the garage, so I need to be able to move the 32 out of the way.

ahhh i see. had me worried for a sec there