<VV> Warning on FC front suspension bolts

[BBRT]

Daniel,
Good advice. Glad you were ok. Also, a prior owner may have replaced the 
proper grade of bolts with hardware store variety, which are much weaker 
(unless Grade Five or Eight were used as required).  We should all do safety 
checks routinely.
Chuck S
BBRT
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "D. Monasterio" <dmonasterio at megared.net.mx>
To: "virtualvairs" <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2007 10:29 PM
Subject: <VV> Warning on FC front suspension bolts


   Today, while driving to work in my 62 Rampside, I heard a metalic sound 
(a bolt falling out of place) and one second after she pulled suddenly to 
the right. Fortunately I was on the right lane, at about 30 mph, as I was 
next to turn to right and had plenty of space to stop, while trying to hold 
the steering wheel on a straight line. After stoping, I notice the front 
left wheel twisted with the upper side inboard. At inspecting below the 
front end, found that the 2 front bolts of the left A arm (lower) were 
missing. A further inspection revealed that one was broken time ago and the 
other one just before the incident.
   Towed (embarrasing) the Rampy to my shop, took the 67 cpe. and went to 
work. After work I took off the threaded thick plate where the bolts attach, 
took out the remains of the broken bolts, put new ones and checked all the 
other bolts on that area. Rampy is ready to work again.
   On the first chance I'll change all the bolts and/or fasteners on both 
front and rear suspensions for safety. This time I was lucky but, on 
different circunstances, I could provoque a fatal accident just for not 
thinking that bolts (as us) after more than 40 years can (and should) 
fatigue and fail.

   Saludos

   Daniel Monasterio
   Guadalajara, Mexico
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