View Single Post
Old 03-29-2006, 04:15 PM   #60 (permalink)
TimMullen
Moderator
 
TimMullen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Chantilly, VA
Posts: 11,386
Images: 19
Quote:
Originally Posted by Randy Chase
It makes me wonder then if the new brace only ties in one rod end to the opposite rod end, and that is enough, could you install the old track brace using only the rod ends also? Just rotate it 90 degrees and not use the engine mount bolts.
If the brace is not attached to the chassis, but only to the track rod ends, then it will not be putting the track rod ends in double shear. The loads from one side will allow the joint to flex, and transfer that flex to the other side. That would spread the load from the regular single shear joint, to two single shear joints. Which would be nowhere near as strong as a single double shear joint. And may even be weaker that the regular tie rod end in single shear.

The new brace may just be a tube flattened at each end, but I bet it attaches to the chassis in the middle somewhere...
__________________
Tim Mullen --- There is no such thing as Touring suspension or Touring wheels.

I love being married. It's so great to find that one person that you want to annoy for the rest of your life. - Rita Rudner


Chantilly, VA http://members.cox.net/elans4/
05 Lotus Elise - Chrome Orange - No Touring - No LSS - No Hardtop - Lotus Driving Lights - Lotus "Chin Guards" - plain and simple.
94 Miata R Package - Black
72 Lotus Elan Sprint - Colorado Orange/Cirrus White
TimMullen is offline   Reply With Quote