blind_elk Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 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. Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/382083-my-shaft-broke/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 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 Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/382083-my-shaft-broke/#findComment-6094981 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dobz Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 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. Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/382083-my-shaft-broke/#findComment-6095360 Share on other sites More sharing options...
blind_elk Posted November 5, 2011 Author Share Posted November 5, 2011 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. Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/382083-my-shaft-broke/#findComment-6095872 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dobz Posted November 6, 2011 Share Posted November 6, 2011 I forgot to ask if it broke off right at the shoulder? Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/382083-my-shaft-broke/#findComment-6097205 Share on other sites More sharing options...
blind_elk Posted November 6, 2011 Author Share Posted November 6, 2011 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) Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/382083-my-shaft-broke/#findComment-6097371 Share on other sites More sharing options...
boiracer Posted November 6, 2011 Share Posted November 6, 2011 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. Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/382083-my-shaft-broke/#findComment-6098043 Share on other sites More sharing options...
blind_elk Posted November 7, 2011 Author Share Posted November 7, 2011 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. Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/382083-my-shaft-broke/#findComment-6098319 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dobz Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 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. Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/382083-my-shaft-broke/#findComment-6098505 Share on other sites More sharing options...
blind_elk Posted November 7, 2011 Author Share Posted November 7, 2011 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? Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/382083-my-shaft-broke/#findComment-6098566 Share on other sites More sharing options...
boiracer Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 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 Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/382083-my-shaft-broke/#findComment-6099109 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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