BROKEN UPRIGHT - I'VE NEVER SEEN ANOTHER DO THIS

[Lotus 47]

A few years this happened.

A massive inclusion in the casting was the cause. A crack had been propagating for some time.

My suspension is fitted with a upper link so the chassis rested on the link and I managed to drive the car back to my shed. I had to remove the spring/shock first but after that it was driveable!

[BDA]

Yikes!!  Thankfully, it didn't happen on the highway!

[EuropaTC]

Wow, now that's not something you expect to see. When I clicked on the thread I was expecting the usual front upright, not a rear one. Perhaps there's something to be said for a fabricated steel one after all !

Brian 

[Steve_Lindford]

Are they aluminium?? I have seen a kind of mold on sheet aluminium after left in damp conditions...

[EuropaTC]

yes, aluminium castings unique to the Europa, I've no idea what grade of Al though.

[GavinT]

Crikey . . . never seen a broken upright before - you were lucky.

I recall The Captain was looking to have some replacement rear uprights cast.
His thinking was to increase the meat around the bearing housing and use a “H” beam section for the lower portion for a more simple casting.

Perhaps including an ear to mount a top link and some calliper mounts would make them perfect.
Not sure if that ever got past the idea stage, though.

[BDA]

I've seen where a couple of people have used uprights from a race car or other. That may have been part of redesign of the rear suspension so maybe not directly applicable.

I would think that given the necessarily small production run, it would probably be cheaper to fabricate one.

[andy harwood]

Following is a thread where poster had some uprights cast -  may be helpful.
http://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=1283.msg11145#msg11145

[BDA]

I forgot all about that! Interesting re-reading all that (it was mostly about stub axles). Ron didn't say where he had his uprights cast - other than to say he had it done in San Jose - or how much it cost. He did say they were solid which makes a lot of sense. It would be interesting to find out more so ron parola, if you're out there, fill us in!

[analogmike]

Wow I will check mine soon and see if any cracks are starting.

I blame the British for using aluminium instead of aluminum.

[4129R]

Wow I will check mine soon and see if any cracks are starting.

I blame the British for using aluminium instead of aluminum.

You will have to keep a close i on the alumin-i-um.

Over 40 elements in the periodic table end in ium, with only platinum and tantalum not having the i in English spelling.

[analogmike]

Wow I will check mine soon and see if any cracks are starting.

I blame the British for using aluminium instead of aluminum.

You will have to keep a close i on the alumin-i-um.

Over 40 elements in the periodic table end in ium, with only platinum and tantalum not having the i in English spelling.

Aye!

[3929R]

Wow I will check mine soon and see if any cracks are starting.

I blame the British for using aluminium instead of aluminum.

You will have to keep a close i on the alumin-i-um.

Over 40 elements in the periodic table end in ium, with only platinum and tantalum not having the i in English spelling.

Do you have molybdenum or molybdenium over there?