20-12-2017, 08:05 PM
i think its worth remembering austin never changed the shape of the steering arm in its 17 year manufacture.
but he must have either felt there was a problem, because over the 17 years they did get thicker (larger).
either that or as the cars got heavier, he felt the arms should be thicker to handle the extra weight.
why didnt the shape of the arm change?? perhaps austin had the foresite to design the arm in a way that when it brakes, it will brake under maximum load. roundabouts, parking, turning at lower speeds.
out of all the arms known to brake, im sure most if not all were as above.
26 years into austin 7s now, and ive never heard of a serious accident from a broken steering arm.
i know ive crack tested 100s literally, and an alarming amount are cracked. although at least 50% of the cracks only show on the forging mark. so when the forging mark is filed away and polished. they are fine to use.
for me im happy with an original that ive checked is ok at that time.
or david does a nice beefy new steering arm. the price isnt high.
its down to the individual.
i have one of davids new sports arms, ill fit it to the blown ulster if the original isnt good enough to use.
this part i hope david doesnt mind me printing. because i dont see new steering arms as a fit and forget item. if i use the new arm. i would still polish it and crack test it from time to time.
tony
but he must have either felt there was a problem, because over the 17 years they did get thicker (larger).
either that or as the cars got heavier, he felt the arms should be thicker to handle the extra weight.
why didnt the shape of the arm change?? perhaps austin had the foresite to design the arm in a way that when it brakes, it will brake under maximum load. roundabouts, parking, turning at lower speeds.
out of all the arms known to brake, im sure most if not all were as above.
26 years into austin 7s now, and ive never heard of a serious accident from a broken steering arm.
i know ive crack tested 100s literally, and an alarming amount are cracked. although at least 50% of the cracks only show on the forging mark. so when the forging mark is filed away and polished. they are fine to use.
for me im happy with an original that ive checked is ok at that time.
or david does a nice beefy new steering arm. the price isnt high.
its down to the individual.
i have one of davids new sports arms, ill fit it to the blown ulster if the original isnt good enough to use.
this part i hope david doesnt mind me printing. because i dont see new steering arms as a fit and forget item. if i use the new arm. i would still polish it and crack test it from time to time.
tony