I put up a photo a moment ago depicting 4 unique types of breakage (there are plenty more types of failure - these are just 4 of them). All rods are broken in the same area but each one exhibits certain telltale signs that point to a specific cause of failure. I'll put up the exact causes next week.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

The Volume 12 #6 issue of RodMaker will have a very detailed article and many more photos of the telltale signs that follow each type of rod failure.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/30/2009 04:17PM by Tom Kirkman.

This will be a great resource for builders!

Thanks Tom!

A) Overloaded B) Impacted C) High-sticked D) Crushed ???????

1 right, 1 close, 2 others not quite and are more specific.

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Can't wait. This article will be very interesting and very helpful.

B was the one that was crushed, if you look a little closer you can see how its ovaled in on the top right and lower left. C i've got no clue on but looks like some kind of sheering force, and D I have an idea on, but not enough to say yep, this is it.

Only partly right - B is a combination break and once you read the article you'll understand how to discern that one, and all the rest.

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Breaking from strain, at the point of a previous impact, incorporates a tell-tale sign ... look for the delaminated strip.

BTW, my car knows what happened to one of the rods ... but it is keeping it's trunk shut on this one.

This photo reference (when released) is going to be the best thing since sliced bread. I will be able to match up, with high accuracy, the exact reason that I am doing the rebuild. It is tough to do from memory AND I simply haven't seen enough breaks to be completely certain on every type out there (thank goodness).

Maybe, just maybe, I can reach a financially acceptable compromise with each user attempting a warranty claim by being so knowledgeable and definitive. I currently end up doing quite a few "goodwill" replacements just to keep them from spreading vicious rumors at the ramps.

Jim -



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/02/2009 12:43PM by Jim Gamble.

I haven't seen impact failures causing delaminated fibers on the inside of the rod - most are fairly clean and we've done many dozens of them at this point, both up high and down low.

The trunk break, or car door, etc., is common and always leaves a very obvious tell-tale sign. I think folks will enjoy the article and when you can accurately state the cause of breakage to a customer he may decide you know too much for him to try and bluff you.

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