[DeTomaso] Fw: Engine Bay Brace question

[Will Demelo]

How can we tell if the frame has partially collapsed?
Will

> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: <jderyke at aol.com>
> To: <kenn_green at yahoo.com>
> Cc: <detomaso at realbig.com>
> Sent: Monday, December 21, 2009 4:00 PM
> Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Engine Bay Brace question
>
>
>> In a message dated 12/21/09 12:43:14 PM, kenn_green at yahoo.com writes:
>>
>>> Are the original braces too short?
>>>
>> Yes. As with all the aluminum bay-braces I've ever seen, the designs
>> attempt to put side loads from cornering into two flimsy sheet metal 
>> mount-tabs
>> with slotted holes! By lengthening the bar ends, the loads actually 
>> transfer
>> thru the back and sides of the welded pockets, and the tabs then only 
>> keep
>> the bar from popping out of position. The pockets are really the tops of 
>> the
>> shock absorber mounts on the other side of the inner fender panels. 
>> Further,
>> the center clevis on 'adjustable' bay braces allows the home handyman to
>> GRADUALLY add preload to a partially collapsed rear frame, which if
>> uncorrected, causes massive negative camber and rear tire tread edge 
>> wear, as well as
>> cracking paint and sometimes, cracking sheet metal near the gas tank 
>> filler.
>> Done gradually over time, the condition is correctable and eventually
>> results in a better handling Pantera.
>> Loads go into the clevis in a straight line so its quite strong IF the
>> jam-nuts are kept tight.
>> My 2¢- J DeRyke
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