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RE: rear tube shock/frame repairs

To: 6pack@autox.team.net
Subject: RE: rear tube shock/frame repairs
From: Ryan van Luchene <Ryan.van.Luchene@celeradiagnostics.com>
Date: Fri, 3 Jun 2005 10:32:12 -0700
guys,

i think the repairs done to my frame after damage from the rear tube shock 
conversion have broken again.
i began hearing a loud "click" from the rear when starting off or when 
making a slow turn. now when i accelerate hard or go up steep hills 
(making the rear end do the TR6 squat) i hear a terrible scraping/sqeaking 
noise back there.
i didnt have a chance to jack up the rear and investigate last night, but 
i have a feeling that's whats going on.
does anyone know if someone sells a reinforcement/gusset kit for this area 
of the rear crossmember near the shock mounts? or if someone has a design 
template that i can use to have a kit made?

ryan

71 imperial blue



*** TR4A/250/6 owners with rear tube shock conversions:

Last June there was chatter on the 6-PACK list about one member's cars
having a cracked frame in areas around the rear shock crossmember on his 
car
equipped with rear tube shock conversions.

While I was in the UK, a customer of mine emailed me regarding the tube
shock conversion he was using... a kit he purchased from one of my
competitors:


" Kai:
Three weeks ago I was out for a TR6 drive hit a Hartford bump and heard a
loud bang.  It sounded like one of my doors was opened.  Knowing that was
not the case, I thought that it was the trunk lid.  Well, moving on in the
diagnoses, the rear cross member is broken on both sides.  It is sheared
through as one would take tin snips and cut the metal perpendicular to its
length."
"This is the result of the KYB shock kit that I purchased from _blank_ at
top price ($200).  I hesitated when I bought the kit but he convinced me
that this was the best and most resent kit design."
"Well, I am pissed.  I told him that I wish to return the kit.  He told me
that that was the "chance that we all take when we install aftermarket
equipment on these cars."  He actually said that my car's frame must have
been rotted or I must have beat on it.  I believe that he knew that this 
was
an inferior product when he sold it to me."
"If the roles were reversed, I would give him his money back without
hesitation.  I would feel responsible for his car being damaged and offer 
to
share the cost of repair.  But that's me.
What is the fix?  Do I just have it welded or replace the cross member 
($300
Moss)?  Do you have one of these cross members?
Best,
Al"

Right now, I beleive that the only people that should be concerned are 
those
with KYB shocks.  I have a number of customers running a similar 
conversion
with SPAX adjustables and they all inform me of no troubles.  If anyone
else, on either lists, has had similar experiences.... I and I am sure
others would like to know what shock kit you have what brand of tube 
shocks
are being used.

Cheers,

Kai




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