Cracked swing arm repair at Kununurra

Submitted: Tuesday, Sep 17, 2013 at 03:02
ThreadID: 128959 Views:9157 Replies:9 FollowUps:7
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Anybody know of a good van suspension repair shop in Kununurra to get my cracked swing arm replaced.
It's getting towed back from Ellenbrae and needs somewhere to go.

Thanks Ken
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Reply By: NIK `N` OFF - Tuesday, Sep 17, 2013 at 03:10

Tuesday, Sep 17, 2013 at 03:10
Go see Phil Normandale he is at the manager at the metal business in town near the Shell servo. I think it's called Metal Link ?

Tell him i recommended you,
AnswerID: 586400

Follow Up By: braggy - Tuesday, Sep 17, 2013 at 04:32

Tuesday, Sep 17, 2013 at 04:32
Thanks Mick

Will he know if I tell him "Mick nicnoff " sent me. LOL

Is it an engieering shop ?
The plate where the stub axle is fixed to the swing arm has cracked, hoping to just get it welded back together, till the van gets home.
Averaged 37k/h ,on 25psi, for 100km of the GRR, not sure this single axle suspension is up to it.

Cheers Ken

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FollowupID: 855357

Follow Up By: NIK `N` OFF - Tuesday, Sep 17, 2013 at 05:04

Tuesday, Sep 17, 2013 at 05:04
Yes he should, he bought my old 80 series years ago and we have stayed in contact since. He should be able to sort it out, certainly if not he would know who could.

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FollowupID: 855358

Reply By: Andrew & Jen - Tuesday, Sep 17, 2013 at 04:34

Tuesday, Sep 17, 2013 at 04:34
Hullo Ken
Failing that, see Wayne at Top End Motors.
I had excellent service from this company. Fitted me in even though they had a full waiting list. Same day service and reasonable price for that part of the country.
Tell him I recommended them (I was the one that needed the full loom replaced :-)
Cheers
Andrew
AnswerID: 586401

Follow Up By: braggy - Tuesday, Sep 17, 2013 at 04:45

Tuesday, Sep 17, 2013 at 04:45
Thank you
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FollowupID: 855359

Reply By: Pixellator - Tuesday, Sep 17, 2013 at 07:04

Tuesday, Sep 17, 2013 at 07:04
Try Argyle Engineering

They did some welding repairs a few years ago.

BobH
AnswerID: 586402

Follow Up By: braggy - Tuesday, Sep 17, 2013 at 17:47

Tuesday, Sep 17, 2013 at 17:47
Cheers Bob

I'm after an engineers report,and they sound good, you are the third to mention them,
Thanks

Regards Ken
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FollowupID: 855360

Reply By: braggy - Friday, Sep 20, 2013 at 02:01

Friday, Sep 20, 2013 at 02:01
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Got some photos sent down, of the never seen before cracks.
No welding, new frames on the way, without the drop arm

Cheers Ken
AnswerID: 586403

Reply By: Jeff&Narelle@Alice - Saturday, Sep 21, 2013 at 19:42

Saturday, Sep 21, 2013 at 19:42
Hi Ken
That crack looks nasty, it's lucky you didn't loose the wheel. What type of van is that on, I don't recognise the suspension?
Good luck.
Jeff
AnswerID: 586404

Follow Up By: braggy - Sunday, Sep 22, 2013 at 19:00

Sunday, Sep 22, 2013 at 19:00
Hi Jeff

Lethal is what I would call it.

It's on my new 14' single axle Bushtracker,

It's Simplicity Suspension, with the cracked section being a drop arm that Bushtracker ordered especially for this van, to lower it's height 100mm, apparently to lower the entry step to make it easier to get in, seems bazaar for an off road van.

Since Peter Thompson's ( BTs spokesman) answer on warranty was "absolutely, no way, you've been flogging it" (before even seeing photos) and when asked about manufacturing fault, he told me " they x-ray the welds,so no warranty" (Hauffe &Co don't x-ray, BTi must or ?? ),
The drop arm sections will not be going back on the new suspension , as I see them as unnecessary and a weak point for potential failure.

Disappointed at this attitude towards a component failure on a new style van.
I thought they would have been real interested to inspect the arm for possible cause of failure, in the interest of safety

Ken


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FollowupID: 855361

Reply By: Condinup - Saturday, Sep 28, 2013 at 21:05

Saturday, Sep 28, 2013 at 21:05
Hi Ken,
I would agree, very poor attitude, given that long term testing is the best way to improve products.
Even if the van had been 'flogged', it has uncovered an issue which could be nasty.
You would expect some degree of involvement in repair and further investigation to improve the product and maintain customer confidence.
The drop arm does seem strange, the spring pack appears to have very little ground clearance.
Maybe the issue will be highlighted by poor sales and then be resolved??
Looks to me that you will only improve the issue with your changes
Hope it has gone well
Regards
Mg
AnswerID: 586405

Reply By: SMICK - Sunday, Sep 29, 2013 at 06:02

Sunday, Sep 29, 2013 at 06:02
Gday braggy
How old is your van?
Michael
AROUND AUSTRALIA AT 80 KAYS.
Bushtrackerly Yours
Michael Mnew
SMICK

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AnswerID: 586406

Follow Up By: braggy - Sunday, Sep 29, 2013 at 06:58

Sunday, Sep 29, 2013 at 06:58
Picked up 7 May 2013, so less than 5 months

Ken
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FollowupID: 855362

Reply By: SMICK - Tuesday, Oct 01, 2013 at 06:24

Tuesday, Oct 01, 2013 at 06:24
Have you been in touch with Hauffe & co.
Michael
AROUND AUSTRALIA AT 80 KAYS.
Bushtrackerly Yours
Michael Mnew
SMICK

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AnswerID: 586407

Reply By: col carpenter - Friday, Jan 30, 2015 at 20:26

Friday, Jan 30, 2015 at 20:26
I am interested as to what the outcome was with this swing arm failure

After manufacturer inspection, what was determined to be the cause of the failure and do they still use this style of drop arm.

Thanks Col
AnswerID: 586408

Follow Up By: braggy - Saturday, Jan 31, 2015 at 19:35

Saturday, Jan 31, 2015 at 19:35
Well Col, they never bothered to retrieve the part, so nobody knows/cared why it failed.

I guess they still use it, at the time they could see no problems with it and had nothing but self praise for their decision to use it.

PM me if you want anymore info.

Cheers Ken
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FollowupID: 855363

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