Strengthening Struts, anyone got documentation?

[kris]

Hey people.

I am after some 'official' Ford documentation about how to weld the gussets from the strut tube to the stub. I believe the stub is forged, so it's just a matter of using a mig - but...

Sadly in NZ, there are some rather restrictive rules on this - and I need to 'prove' my case.

I realise I could just buy a GAZ setup, but I have a nice new set of Konis here for my Capri Struts and I will simply not use the gussets if I have no oither choice.

I appreciate any help anyone can come up with.

[ludsonline]

Most people just mig them m8,

[kris]

Yeah that's what I want to do, but they won't certify the car without documentation. No cert = no road = walking.

Ralley Prep manual has nothing on them, sadly.

[Retromotorsport]

This is from the Ford Motor Company 1972 rallye sport parts catalogue.

Its obvious from the pics that the plates are welded..

[Retromotorsport]

Thought I had better add the whole page and cover ...

[markb]

somehow i knew Gary would have a nice piccy for you!

[nickmk11]

just say come as std ,who will no

[Retromotorsport]

just say come as std ,who will no

I think over there they have the build manuals for the cars, so any mods have to be a "factory" mod... hence the need for the documents...

Seems strange as you could buy some of the most powerfull cars of the day over there. And drive them at a young age

[kris]

Thanks for the images Gary, I will see if they make the certifier is happy. I suspect he won't be - so anything else greatfully accepted.

Yah, it's a bit difficult over here. 15 years ago you could do anything you liked. People died and they decided to tighten up. Hence we have to go through something a bit like your SVA, where ALL modifications are examined and certified. All suspension components have to be xrayed to check the welds etc. To be fair, it isn't as bad as you might think, as it's only 100 pounds for the certification, and the idea is you have the certifier on hand during the build to complain about things before they are a problem.

The problem I have is not with the certifier, but rather with an obscure little regulation, which states:

...the adaption must not incorporate:

(a) any welding to any cast or forged suspension upright, or stub axle, or steering arm; or

So, the certifier is happy to argue this for me, but it is not his decision and he needs something to argue with.

And yes, Gary is right, here in NZ you can get your licence at 15 and go crash a 6 litre V8 (or more likely a Subaru WRX sti or Mitsi EVO) into a tree the same day. Stupid, really stupid.

[Retromotorsport]

Kris, are you rallying this car or just road/racing it, its very very rare for even a wide slick to generate the force to bend the leg, jumping the car over a yump (12 foot in the air) will do it after a few stages, but maybe your going a bit further than you need.

I'll send the catalogue to you if the guy reckons it will do if you send it back to me, if he says you need more proof you may have some luck with contacting Dave Bignold at Gartrac, he was an authorised contractor for FoMoCo, so his signiture on a letter should do.

Butif its a no go, dont worry too much as it is a bit of overkill on street cars.

and if you do happen to bend a leg and this causes you to have a slight moment, then you have a case of the authorities not allowing a safety modification on your car that could have caused a major accident. Over here we get by some regs by using the safety issue, the welded gussets do not take any strength away from the original forging, only adding strength to a known weak spot, so what your doing is making it safer.

havnt you also got a rule about modifiying carburettors and linkages .... but fitting twin return springs is allowed as its a safety thing, over here in competition we have to run 2 springs, I'm not that clued up on the Motorsport Rule book over in NZ, is it the same CAMS book as OZ, because looking at the cages in OZ the rear stays are allowed to be further away from the bend of the main hoop than over here, wouldnt it be good if all rules were the same everywhere....

[kris]

Thanks Gary,sage advice - that is, forget about it - it's not worth it.

Still, it gets my goat.

P.S. do you ever sleep?