Has anyone sued for collapsed front wishbones?
Discussion
Painting mine on second Chimera this weekend (99 car had to do same to 98 car but not as bad!), and found they are a F**king Death Trap. I have to get top wishbones at least replaced for own peace of mine, as they will undoubted break soon. And I could be going very fast. 400bhp and Shit suspension don't mix well.
Unbelieveable - the rears always seem fine!
Unbelieveable - the rears always seem fine!
I lost the back end of my 500 Chimaera, on a straight motorway doing only 50mph (honest!) and the car just went completed out of control, I wasn't accelerating or braking, and even though it was cold, no ice and pretty dry with some damp patches here and there. No other cars involved. Have had the car for over 4 years and would consider myself as an experienced driver!!
Anyway, when the car came to a stand still I thought one of the tyres must have burst. However, the front drivers wishbone had snapped, the car dragged to the right into the central reservation.
Still waiting to hear from a specialist to see if the wishbone had broken before or on impact.
Anyway, when the car came to a stand still I thought one of the tyres must have burst. However, the front drivers wishbone had snapped, the car dragged to the right into the central reservation.
Still waiting to hear from a specialist to see if the wishbone had broken before or on impact.
Peninsula-TVR do their own tubular ones for the Griff/Chimp.
weren't expensive, and they are adjustable.
powder coated.
BTW Jellison - the suspension on mine has had regular fettling, bushes last one season. currently with only 310bhp and semi-slix. they will need looking after with an LS block in there!
weren't expensive, and they are adjustable.
powder coated.
BTW Jellison - the suspension on mine has had regular fettling, bushes last one season. currently with only 310bhp and semi-slix. they will need looking after with an LS block in there!
On my '99 Chimaera I did chassis work this winter. I was shocked by the loss of paint on my wishbones. It's almost like they were already rusty when they were originally painted. With some effort I was able to scrape back to a good surface, rust treat and repaint. There was no noticeable weakening or loss of thickness, just lots of flaking paint.
I'm interested in that I always thought it was an accepted fact that front wishbones are one of the major check points of a TVR and that they are known to take a hammering. The first thing I did when I bought mine (not new) was to have the front wishbones replaced, I didn't even consider their condition before making that decision. Five year replacement of front wishbones, to me, comes within the realm of accepted TVR upkeep. Also, one of my previous servicers failed to put the spacer bushes on mine thereby allowing stresses to be placed at the joining areas. I'm not intending to belitte any comments here and certainly losing a wishbone on the motorway is cause for concern for any owner. I'm not an expert on metal structure but I'm wondering if metal fatigue as a result of constant debris impact might not be as bigger cause of failure rather than simple visible faults such as corrosion. I'd be interested in any views in that regard.
>> Edited by TeGriffic on Wednesday 16th February 02:33
>> Edited by TeGriffic on Wednesday 16th February 02:33
To have to replace this sort of component is nuts - but not putting by life at risk (the way I drive) - Imagine the same happening to Simon at >100 DEAD.
Getting the Penisula ones (like my old 3000 Tubular) but rose jointed, so I can stick some negative on the front. The TVR ones being an open box are just a very bad design.
Getting the Penisula ones (like my old 3000 Tubular) but rose jointed, so I can stick some negative on the front. The TVR ones being an open box are just a very bad design.
Mole Valley replaced mine as they were known a few years ago -- said it was par for the course - I had thought they were ripping me off it as never gave me the old ones - reading the above gives me some confidence that I wasn't robbed. Like Jon though, don't think it should be expected and par for the course.
Good to know - thanks!
I'm sure I'm destined not to have one. I find a car I like and then something external stops me persuing it.
Today TVR offer a 3 year warranty on new cars and as they already have a deposit (which I was going to lose) a new car suddenly looks more appealing....
I'm sure I'm destined not to have one. I find a car I like and then something external stops me persuing it.
Today TVR offer a 3 year warranty on new cars and as they already have a deposit (which I was going to lose) a new car suddenly looks more appealing....
An inspection isn't always enough, unless it involves a good poking with a screwdriver. My Griff (96) failed the MOT last year on front upper wishbone bushes. I removed the wishbones to replace the bushes, and was cleaning them up prior to painting, when a hole appeared in the bottom of the U-channel. This car is stored in a warm dry garage and had only done 1500 summer miles since the previous MOT at a well-known ex-main dealer in West Sussex. 
Needless to say, it got two new upper fronts pronto.
Paul.
Needless to say, it got two new upper fronts pronto.
Paul.
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