TCI brand IFS failure in NZ
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 307
Likes: 17
Was it verified that the suspension assembly was actually supplied by TCI and not a cheap Chinese knock off that looks like a TCI product? TCI seems to have a good reputation and I would be surprised if they let something as obvious as that out the door.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,684
Likes: 79
From: Northville, MI
Suspension engineering is somewhat of an art. But its success really does depend upon manufacturing following the quality processes that have been developed for the parts. It looks like something has changed at TCI in that regard. What they did 10 years ago isn't what they are doing now. That usually is because of cuts in cost and timing or maybe because the processes are not fully defined in writing. Maybe the old, experienced guys that used to do the welding have retired?
.
.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,594
Likes: 72
From: North Central Arkansas
Charlie, Any undercutting on the welds is going to create stress risers, especially those that go to the edge of the round tube or bracket. If what I'm seeing on the photo is undercutting along the top of the shock bracket where it is welded to the tube, a crack could begin at the edge were the screw boss is undercut and travel across the tube, splitting it. There is also a deep undercut at the bottom edge of the right hand side of the shock bracket where the weld wraps around the bottom to the inside. Theoretically, what you said about the weld thickness being the same as the base metal, so it is equally as strong, is true. But, that is assuming that the weld has properly penetrated the joint. If it hasn't, the concave weld makes it thinner than the base metal. I am sure this IFS setup is not cheap, I would certainly expect better quality and better looking welds for the price. I could not have allowed that part to have left my shop looking like that. I would want what I build to contribute to the looks of someone's custom car build and not be a detraction.
Mark
Mark
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,093
Likes: 652
From: Brentwood, TN
Thanks Mark, appreciate you taking the time to explain your analysis. I looked at my IFS and unfortunately there is too much paint on those areas to really see much detail. One thing I could see was the welds around the setscrew bosses...the edges of the round tube show no undercutting. I am not driving this car yet but when I do get it on the road this summer I will surely keep an eye on these welds. Thanks again.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
alittle40
General Automotive Discussion
2
Jan 7, 2005 01:48 PM
