New info regarding welding forged/cast suspension compents.

[RobertC]

Here is a copy of the new information sheet. Couldn't find this on there website so have put it here for others to read.

As far as Toyota goes. Superstrut and ae86's will be effected. And any others that use cast suspension components.

This only applies to aftermarket suspension that needs certification.

Reference is made to approved manufactures. From what I understand major manufactures such as Tein and Bilstein are currently not approved.

This has come to my attention after trying to certify some coil overs of the aforementioned brand and failing for the reasons set out in the information sheet.

[1I1]

Were Autolign able to get hold of any technical info for you Rob?

[RobertC]

Were Autolign able to get hold of any technical info for you Rob?

Thus far they have been helpful. I've been told they are waiting to hear back from Tein Japan but currently they are on holiday. I'm surprised that I'm the first person that has contacted them though.

[gt4dude]

my BC coilover for st205 is like this, the superstrut bottom is cast, but the strut tube is mild steel, you have to leave about 15mm of mild steel tube, then the BC coilover sits inside the tube and you weld to the mild steel

[Bazda]

my BC coilover for st205 is like this, the superstrut bottom is cast, but the strut tube is mild steel, you have to leave about 15mm of mild steel tube, then the BC coilover sits inside the tube and you weld to the mild steel

This is how custom coilovers have been made for years on race cars.
AE86, Capri, Escort etc etc

With the new rules it will most likely fail unless you want to pay $1300 to get your item destroyed while they test it.

[xsspeed]

I havent read all of the above article, but my understand (at least previously) was for say the ae86 spindles, so long as the strut was welded over the stub - ie mild steel, and not to the cast hub/spindle it was certable.

In toyota circles at least the issue with the ae86's coilovers is they are welded to the cast element, not over the stub. From memory some of the coilover manufacturers still allow you to buy the strut and you can (get someone to) weld them on over the stubs?

[Bazda]

I havent read all of the above article, but my understand (at least previously) was for say the ae86 spindles, so long as the strut was welded over the stub - ie mild steel, and not to the cast hub/spindle it was certable.

In toyota circles at least the issue with the ae86's coilovers is they are welded to the cast element, not over the stub. From memory some of the coilover manufacturers still allow you to buy the strut and you can (get someone to) weld them on over the stubs?

Yep they all used to pass before as long as you showed the certifier how you did it and used a welder who had his tickets etc.
But after reading this which has been only introduced in March 2012 looks like everything will have to be tested.

[wde_bdy]

For Toyota stuff (AE86 etc) if you use a factory strut and weld ABOVE the casting to the original strut tube, then it can be certified (generally after xraying) as you are not welding to a cast steering component. If you weld a new tube direct to the factory cast hub or use an aftermarket complete strut unit (that incorporate the cast hub) then no it can't be certed without destructive testing or evidence of such testing.

Callum

[xsspeed]

after a skim read - won't testing for welding to mild steel still be the same?

Ie - ticketed or good welds, verified via NDT - which costs like $150?

The issue remains welding to the casting

[Bazda]

For Toyota stuff (AE86 etc) if you use a factory strut and weld ABOVE the casting to the original strut tube, then it can be certified (generally after xraying) as you are not welding to a cast steering component. If you weld a new tube direct to the factory cast hub or use an aftermarket complete strut unit (that incorporate the cast hub) then no it can't be certed without destructive testing or evidence of such testing.

Callum

This makes sense.

[xsspeed]

For Toyota stuff (AE86 etc) if you use a factory strut and weld ABOVE the casting to the original strut tube, then it can be certified (generally after xraying) as you are not welding to a cast steering component. If you weld a new tube direct to the factory cast hub or use an aftermarket complete strut unit (that incorporate the cast hub) then no it can't be certed without destructive testing or evidence of such testing.

Callum

This makes sense.

Yeah thats what I was trying to say, NDT = non destructive testing, ie ardrox dye penetrant + photos iirc