Aircraft Hardware? That's NOT overkill. The motorcycle racers go for
titanium bolt kits for the suspension that cost over $1500 for a 250 2-stoke
GP bike. How many bolts can a bike like that have? There are a few large
ones for axles and swing arm but still there are not many. Now, that IS
overkill. I diet for the rider is a cheaper weight savings.
Ken
'69 Lotus Elan +2 with BDR
_____
From: ***@***.***lto:***@***.*** Behalf
Of Tebbutt, Bill
Sent: Tuesday, September 12, 2006 10:27 AM
To: '***@***.***'
Subject: RE: [LotusElan.net] Re: Grade 8 failure?
Let's move directly into overkill (as I have done with my own Elan project)
and use nothing but aircraft hardware!!!!!!
While I'm not qualified from an engineering persepctive to opine (that won't
stop me), in my opinion the single biggest issue with automotive fastener
failure (other than incorrect torque) is threaded portions of bolts within
their respective "bore holes". Aside from acting like many tiny chainsaws
inside the bore, in shear there are threads (stress risers) in the bridge
between the 2 fastened parts - I have to believe this is a recipe for
disaster.
I don't think it is practical to source enough non-aircraft HW with the
required unthreaded shoulders on all of the bolts of different dimensions to
put the cars together. However, you can order/pick up anything you need at
your local aircraft supply house, and the result is (expensive, yes) quite
elegant and trouble free.
Just my two cents,
Cheers,
Bill Tebbutt
-----Original Message-----
From: ***@***.*** <mailto:lotuselan%40yahoogroups.com> ps.com
[mailto:***@***.*** <mailto:lotuselan%40yahoogroups.com> ps.com] On
Behalf
Of ***@***.*** <mailto:RDSSDi%40AOL.COM>
Sent: 2006/09/12 09:50
To: ***@***.*** <mailto:lotuselan%40yahoogroups.com> ps.com
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] Re: Grade 8 failure?
"Beware! A grade 8
(theoretically stronger) bolt is much more brittle (susceptible to
shattering under sudden pothole shock) than a lowly Grade 5"
That's interesting. I replaced all my front vertical link bolts with AN
Grade 8. I also replaced the stub axle retaining nut with an AN grade 8.
Should I remove all the Grade 8 hardware and substitute Grade 5?
Bob
1969 Elan +2
http://www.LotusEla <> n.net