Broken Radius Rod

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nobbyfox
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Broken Radius Rod

Post by nobbyfox »

Dotty snapped a radius rod today. How inconvenient!!
By the look of it, it was rusty and due for failure anyway.
New parts on order via BW :D
I know what I'm doing next week!!
Westfalia pop-top 1990 1.6JX

Bubble Meister
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Re: Broken Radius Rod

Post by Bubble Meister »

Have you got big spanners? Did you order the two bushes that fit on the free end?
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nobbyfox
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Re: Broken Radius Rod

Post by nobbyfox »

Yes I bought the rubbers, large washers, sleeves and new nuts
Westfalia pop-top 1990 1.6JX

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HarryMann
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Re: Broken Radius Rod

Post by HarryMann »

Blimey that's dangerous. .. how bad was that then when it was last off i wonder... (edited misread your post)
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HarryMann
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Re: Broken Radius Rod

Post by HarryMann »

Assemble the new one with rubber grease or equivalent all around all the sleeves and bushes - to keep water out of places it shouldnt sit.
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nobbyfox
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Re: Broken Radius Rod

Post by nobbyfox »

It only passed the MOT a few weeks ago!
I recon it was just strong enough to pass.
Went over a speed bump a bit too fast and knocked the frame where it connects at the front.
Won't do that again :oops:
Westfalia pop-top 1990 1.6JX

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HarryMann
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Re: Broken Radius Rod

Post by HarryMann »

I suppose the corrosion is hidden inside the rubber bushes... so unless they're very clever ancient MOT man wouldn't even dawn on them...
I had one garage with an old bloke that'd fail brake pipes and even steering UJs that he couldn't see WEREN'T rusty or worn... up to me to prove they were OK... usually impossible without changing them Haha :)
Never moaned too much about him and always did any welding straight away..
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nobbyfox
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Re: Broken Radius Rod

Post by nobbyfox »

Yes Harryman the corrosion was inside the rubber. Should of included a photo
This explains all!

Image
Westfalia pop-top 1990 1.6JX

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nobbyfox
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Re: Broken Radius Rod

Post by nobbyfox »

I am replacing the other side too. :D
Westfalia pop-top 1990 1.6JX

what2do
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Re: Broken Radius Rod

Post by what2do »

nobbyfox wrote:Yes Harryman the corrosion was inside the rubber. Should of included a photo
This explains all!

Image


That pic surprises me, approx 80% of that break is new! I would've expected the rod to withstand a bump with only a partial break.
Why would the glass be anything other than half full?

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DavidPallister
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Re: Broken Radius Rod

Post by DavidPallister »

nah, once something's cracked, the sharpness of the crack creates a stress raiser, don't take much load to fully break it, as you can see.

what2do
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Re: Broken Radius Rod

Post by what2do »

That's why I'm surprised. I've worked with heavy plant and agricultural machines for years, they're industries where kit is respectfully 'abused' due to the nature of the work and environments, however I've seen more substantial breaks displaying 'old' corrosion and yet they've gone the distance so to speak. Genuinely surprised by the break in the pic.
Why would the glass be anything other than half full?

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nobbyfox
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Re: Broken Radius Rod

Post by nobbyfox »

I suspect that there are a lot of forces that go through the radius rod.
Once the structural integrity is compromised, it's curtain for the poor fella!!

My new bits arrived today. Feels like Christmas :D
Westfalia pop-top 1990 1.6JX

what2do
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Re: Broken Radius Rod

Post by what2do »

nobbyfox wrote:I suspect that there are a lot of forces that go through the radius rod.
Once the structural integrity is compromised, it's curtain for the poor fella!!

My new bits arrived today. Feels like Christmas :D


Bright yellow by any chance?
Why would the glass be anything other than half full?

'89 panel van, 1.9 DG.

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nobbyfox
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Re: Broken Radius Rod

Post by nobbyfox »

Bright yellow? Do you mean the rubber bits?
No went for bog standard.
Westfalia pop-top 1990 1.6JX

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