Thread: A Bad Crash

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Glad to hear that "ALL" of these folks are doing well, and I hope they continue to get better. This can be scary stuff....

Had another thought, there is quite a bit of talk of the Axle being cast Aluminum ( now corrected by the owner) But I do have a question. Is there even a Cast Aluminum Axle being made and sold here? I did a search for a Aluminum I Beam axle and found nothing. So does such a critter even exist?

Roland

Yes, there is this one offered by Superbell:

PET1100DFO
Polished Alum-I-Beam
Oval-Drilled I-Beam Axle
$1,195.00
Super Bell Axle Co.

Fully Polished, Drilled, Forged Alum-I-Beam Axle
Completely Computer designed and strength tested, the new Forged Alum-I-Beam axle combines Super Bell's traditional I-beam 'narrow upsweep' with the original 1932 truck (wider style) belly and features a raised "Super Bell" shield on only one side of the beam.
Measuring 46" king pin to king pin centers, the Alum-I-beam is designed for use under the '28-'34 Ford using the '37-'48 Ford spindles. Forged from 7175-T74 aircraft aluminum and "Made in the USA", Super Bell's Alum-I-beam is lighter (9.5 lbs.), stronger (tested in the real world), and better than ever. Originally offered in highlighted or fully polished with a round drilled hole option (1" lightening holes), it's now available with oval drilled hole option too!


Don

That's a very good grade of Aluminum with high fracture toughness as long as you do not get it hot for extended times. This is something often overlooked. Room temperature yield is in the mid 75 ksi range but if you get it to say 350 F for 30-60 mins this drops to low 60 ksi. If you get it over 400 F for even a short time it loses its strength big time, under 20 ksi. You do not want to get a torch anywhere around this stuff and if it is connected close by, say, a bearing that goes out you could severely compromise its strength in that location.

Kitz

Originally Posted by Hombre259

... Is there even a Cast Aluminum Axle being made and sold here? I did a search for a Aluminum I Beam axle and found nothing. So does such a critter even exist?
Roland

I thought someone else would jump in but if the question is really about a "Cast Aluminum Axle" the answer is "No". All aluminum products for load bearing use are forged, which aligns the molecules for strength, as opposed to castings which have a random molecular structure and are thus weak and brittle. Casting is for intricate detail features on decorative items like lawn furniture; or for items that will not see load other than low pressures like intakes, valve covers, etc. Don's listing on the Super Bell axle clearly states "Forged".

Originally Posted by volksrod

You're right John. I just recieved another picture that helps to clarify a little bit but it poses more questions than answers. The owner of the car is supposed to call me by the end of the day. If he does, I will let you guys know what he says.

Haven't seen an update from Walt, and saw these on another forum, so thought I'd put it up. I've only had minor training in reading this sort of break and it would be better with a microscope, but it does look like there is one decent sized occlusion toward the right side of the first photo and a corresponding location on the other side of the break. I'm still leaning toward hydrogen embrittlement. http://s294.photobucket.com/albums/mm108/marklh/

My opinion Hydrogen embrittlement and or occlusion coupled with a weak area where the king pin retainer bolt is installed, often driven in with a BFH would be my guesstimate. That tapered "bolt" could tend to spread the king pin hole if that BFH is less then judiciously used or whangs against the boss.

Sorry guys. There is nothing definite yet and I'm not sure that we will ever get to the bottom of the cause but it looks as though it is due to an axle that was very poorly built.
So far the consensus is that the king pin boss broke first and the rest is history. The axle is a 5" dropped axle from Magnum axle. Their claim is that it is a cast steel axle but it is really a cast iron axle. I'm still trying to confirm that. The one thing I do know..........There are a lot of used magnum axles on the market right now. I really hope that Lonnie's insurance agency get to the bottom of this.
I will post more info if I get it.
I'm still wondering if we ever got an answer to the cause of the high boy that crashed. I really think that it's important to get to the bottom of these problems and expose those responsible if we can so that there are not more unsuspecting victims.

I'm still wondering if we ever got an answer to the cause of the high boy that crashed.


If you are referring to the original crash on this thread, he is maintaining a gust of wind pushed him off the road and he lost control.
Just to give an up date, the car was totaled by the insurance company. He still doesn't have full use of his arm, very slow recovery.
Ken

I'm still wondering if we ever got an answer to the cause of the high boy that crashed.


If you are referring to the original crash on this thread, he is maintaining a gust of wind pushed him off the road and he lost control.
Just to give an up date, the car was totaled by the insurance company. He still doesn't have full use of his arm, very slow recovery.
Ken

Originally Posted by Ken Thurm

I'm still wondering if we ever got an answer to the cause of the high boy that crashed.


If you are referring to the original crash on this thread, he is maintaining a gust of wind pushed him off the road and he lost control.
Just to give an up date, the car was totaled by the insurance company. He still doesn't have full use of his arm, very slow recovery.
Ken

That must have been one helluva gust. Sorry but that is hard to believe. A motorhome yes, a high boy........? That's his story and he's stickin to it.
I hope his recovery is total.

I just came back from a trip to central California with very high winds and I was blown all over the place. In most of the areas there is no shoulder on the road so if your wheels get off the pavement it is very difficult to bring it back. We had 50 mph gusts, I was passing a 18 wheeler and just got past his nose when I was blown over a lane so fast I couldn't believe it. These cars have a very high center of gravity which makes it even worse, I believe this is what happened to him.
Ken

No, living in California you are probably familiar with how strong some of those gusts can be between passes. When we lived there I was amazed how you could be driving along with just moderate wind action and suddenly, as you passed through an opening, this gust would almost take your car off the road. I remember trying to keep a light Toyota on the road many times under those circumstances, so I can see where a roadster could have problems like that.

Don

Ken, I can believe it. I went for a cruise yesterday,we had side winds here between 40 & 50 mph.,and I felt like someone was pushing my old '31 from side to side, no shoulders or much traffic on the on the road, so I slowed down ,but found it can take ya!
Brian

My roadster only weighs 550 Lbs up front and it doesn't take much to bat me around. I just didn't think a big block duece would be affected like that.

My Harley is close to the same wt. and I get tossed around like a feather by some of the winds coming through the hills around here. One notorious place is coming up the hill near Sausalito, just before going over to the Golden Gate bridge!
I wonder if solid whells have the same effect on cars as they do on bikes?