[DeTomaso] Rear A-Arm connection brackets

[hemipanter at hemipanter.se]

This is due to flex. An example, on a thick steel plate is welded to a
thinner steel construction that is how a large part of the deflection to
be concentrated in the end zones of the plate, causing cracks in the area
where moost of FLEX will be concetrated.
I dont think there is that much of a problem for you, but I am addressing
this topic that one should not assume that the entire weld is not always
the best.
We could also say that absolute stiffness could be had at the expense of a
little shorter lifespan, all depending on what properties the builder sees
as important.

Goran


> Goran,
>
> Is that because you want some flex? Or because a crack on one weld could
> spread?
>
> Dan
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <hemipanter at hemipanter.se>
> To: "Dan Courtney" <dfcex at excaliburre.com>
> Cc: <mikeldrew at aol.com>; <detomaso at realbig.com>
> Sent: Saturday, February 13, 2010 2:35 PM
> Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Rear A-Arm connection brackets
>
>
>> Depending on how the steel bracing is applied it is sometimes better not
>> to weld a plate all the way around.
>> Goran
>>
>>> You are right, Mike, this is a very early model pushbutton, and we can
>>> see
>>> three generations of welding, gusseting, etc.
>>> The first two look like factory welds, including some mig welding. Most
>>> of
>>> these welds were poorly done, with allot of contamination, volcanoes,
>>> etc.
>>> The third generation was done by the company that put The Beast on a
>>> rotisserie, during my initial re-building in 2000. They added some very
>>> strong steel plating but only welded about 20% of the seam area.
>>> Now we grinding off much of the original welding and running welds
>>> along
>>> the entire length of the critical seams, and most of the seam area on
>>> the
>>> rest.
>>> The cracks we found were located on the rear upper control arm bracket,
>>> facing towards the rear. Looks like first generation welds.
>>> If I was more tech savvy I could post photos and links, but I'm still
>>> not
>>> there.
>>> We are going to finish this area with yellow paint, so it will be
>>> easier
>>> to inspect for cracks.
>>> If I don't get photos up I'll be happy to pull the wheels and show you
>>> at
>>> Fernley.
>>>
>>> Dan
>>> Dan Courtney
>>> La Jolla, CA
>>> (858) 551-5455
>>>   ----- Original Message -----
>>>   From: MikeLDrew at aol.com
>>>   To: dfcex at pacbell.net ; detomaso at realbig.com
>>>   Sent: Saturday, February 13, 2010 10:24 AM
>>>   Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Rear A-Arm connection brackets
>>>
>>>
>>>   Dan wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>     > The Beast has been getting it's rear suspension-frame connections
>>> cleaned
>>>     > up & welds checked for cracks, and we found one on each side.
>>>
>>>
>>>   >>>It's worth mentioning that you car is a pushbutton, which came
>>> from
>>> the factory with a rather weak chassis.  Ford recalled all the early
>>> cars to weld in gussets and braces all over the place (including
>>> yours, unless it was originally a Euro market car, which was allowed
>>> to fall apart!) to reinforce the suspension mounts etc.  The 1972 and
>>> later cars had a completely revised chassis which addressed the
>>> weakness issues.
>>>
>>>   Mike
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>>
>>
>
>