<< Seems steering knuckles are failing on our Spits all of a sudden ... I will
be able to tighten the 4 screws holding the assembly together all will be good
>>
Don't count on it. Mine has been getting progressively crummier, but took a
step toward spooky last weekend at Blackhawk. So we pulled it apart this
weekend as long as the engine was out and tried to tighten it - in vain. It
appears that the 4 cap screws that hold it together are staked in place. No
safety wire. The rubber grommets have largely perished, leaving just the
steel disk and the fasteners. It's not going anywhere and is just a little
vague on-center, so we tucked it back in there for now and will source a new
one ASAP.
Yes - strange coincidence?
Scott B.
-----Original Message-----
From: fot-bounces@autox.team.net [mailto:fot-bounces@autox.team.net] On Behalf
Of robertten1@aol.com
Sent: Sunday, August 11, 2013 4:52 PM
To: fot@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: [Fot] SCCA Road America & HProd Spitfire Excitement
Well,
Seems steering knuckles are failing on our Spits all of a sudden. At my last
autocross a week ago I noticed a bit of play in my steering wheel ?? So
yesterday while checking over my Spit I remembered my steering wheel play.
Turns out my steering knuckle is about to fail thought it looks if I remove
the broken safety wires I will be able to tighten the 4 screws holding the
assembly together all will be good. But, I think I should dig out one of the
three I have in my spares and compare as to which is best.
Is this a coincidence problem for our Spits at this time ?
Cheers,
Bob T
-----Original Message-----
From: Rocky Entriken <rocky@spitfire4.com>
To: chris crisenbery <spitracer1296@yahoo.com>; FoT Triumph
<fot@autox.team.net>
Sent: Sat, Aug 3, 2013 3:21 pm
Subject: Re: [Fot] SCCA Road America & HProd Spitfire Excitement
Wow! As a dedicated regional-race Spitfire backmarker, I'll sympathize.
I've never had the shaft fail like that -- been driving mine (street, then ace
& autox) since 1966, race-prepped in '71 -- but I've had that knuckle hat
connects the shaft to the rack & pinion fail a couple of times, and it as
loose again when I was prepping for my one foray into National racing nd the
2011 Runoffs. So there's a nice shiny new (2 years old now) one in here now.
Most interesting failure was on an airport circuit at Hutchinson, Ks., where t
failed early on the 2nd lap of the race and I found by steering really ently I
might nurse it back to the pits. I'd started 3rd and had quickly ropped to
7th. Well on that nurse-it-back lap I found if I didn't jerk the heel I could
make it turn -- what is it they tell novices about smooth hand ovements? -- so
I tried another lap. Then another. And began picking up ositions. The only
corner I really had to give up was the second half of a uick left-right
chicane. Last lap I was up to 4th coming into the final urn and the car in 3rd
had gone off and was doing his airport loop to come ack on. "Car, you WILL
make this turn!" I said, and it did, and I got my rd place back. In the
paddock the car would turn no more. Had to put a jack nder it to line it up
with my trailer so I could push it on.
I classify it now as one of those incredibly stupid things we do when we
queeze our brain with a helmet. But still fun.
My one visit to RA was fun too, start DFL, finish 11th in the wet, and an
xperience that let me relate more to (and enjoy) your description. I know
ou'll do better than that in September and raise the Triumph flag high.
ood luck.
--Rocky Entriken
----- Original Message -----
rom: "chris crisenbery" <spitracer1296@yahoo.com>
o: "FoT Triumph" <fot@autox.team.net>
ent: Wednesday, July 31, 2013 4:32 PM
ubject: [Fot] SCCA Road America & HProd Spitfire Excitement
Hey everyone,
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