BROKEN HOTCHKISS SOLID ENDLINK! More within...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 3,081
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From: Apex NC
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BROKEN HOTCHKISS SOLID ENDLINK! More within...
Well folks, the car pictured in my sig is currently at ACI in Ohio for major cosmetic upgrades/paintwork and they noticed that my right front endlink is snapped! I have the Mallett front bar and the hotchkiss solid endlinks. I don't know if you have seen these endlinks but they make the stock ones look like puny hot wheels metal! Anyway, I do autocross drag race and road race at Gingerman raceway (first time for that) so would that do it? Also should the car be realigned now? I have the original alignment on the car but have changed to fikse 18 in all around on pilot sports so should I use z06 specs for the alignment? Why did this huge endlink snap? Will that cause damage to other areas of suspension if I was driving a lot with it that way and didn't know it?
:confused:
:confused:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: bay area,CA,USA
Re: BROKEN HOTCHKISS SOLID ENDLINK! More within... (AVETTE)
Are the end links old? I know Hotchkiss had some problems in the past with their old ones breaking. Their new ones are suppose to be a lot better. Contact them, maybe they will send you a new one ;)
Pro
Joined: Jul 2000
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Re: BROKEN HOTCHKISS SOLID ENDLINK! More within... (NastyC5)
When you say you have a "Mallet" front bar, are you referring to the "blue" bar they sell on their website? If so, that's the T-1 bar that's 38mm and quite heavy and thicker than the Hotchkiss front bar. You made need the T1 links ($90 from Ken fitchner's). I just ordered a pair but haven't used them yet. Good luck. :seeya :seeya :seeya
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From: Dallas Tx
St. Jude Vendor Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11
Re: BROKEN HOTCHKISS SOLID ENDLINK! More within... (AVETTE)
The end links have spacers that help them to move within their design limits for the misalignment. If the spacers are not installed correctly the rod ends will bind against the swaybar, and fatigue the metal. This will cause the rod end to eventually break.
If you race, or AutoX, you should run the suspension through its full travel to varify that you are not binding the link.
But in general, if you have the end too close to the sway bar, it will bind earlier. And in AutoX you are really laying the car into the corners, so your suspension will be closer to full extension.
LG
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,956
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From: Maryland
Re: BROKEN HOTCHKISS SOLID ENDLINK! More within... (LG Motorsports)
YIKES! I got my T1's used. No spacers were included with the endlinks.
Anyone know the ID, OD, and length so I can cut a few? Are they the same front and back?
Anyone know the ID, OD, and length so I can cut a few? Are they the same front and back?
The end links have spacers that help them to move within their design limits for the misalignment. If the spacers are not installed correctly the rod ends will bind against the swaybar, and fatigue the metal. This will cause the rod end to eventually break.
LG
LG
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Re: BROKEN HOTCHKISS SOLID ENDLINK! More within... (Rx7Rob)
Well, here's what the Hotchkis endlink configuration looks like. This pic is from the Hotchkis installation file. Notice the black spacers directly next to the endlink.
Click on image to zoom
[Modified by Patches, 9:47 AM 8/15/2003]
Click on image to zoom
[Modified by Patches, 9:47 AM 8/15/2003]
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,411
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From: Wilmington NC
Re: BROKEN HOTCHKISS SOLID ENDLINK! More within... (AVETTE)
Well folks, the car pictured in my sig is currently at ACI in Ohio for major cosmetic upgrades/paintwork and they noticed that my right front endlink is snapped! I have the Mallett front bar and the hotchkiss solid endlinks. I don't know if you have seen these endlinks but they make the stock ones look like puny hot wheels metal! Anyway, I do autocross drag race and road race at Gingerman raceway (first time for that) so would that do it? Also should the car be realigned now? I have the original alignment on the car but have changed to fikse 18 in all around on pilot sports so should I use z06 specs for the alignment? Why did this huge endlink snap? Will that cause damage to other areas of suspension if I was driving a lot with it that way and didn't know it?
:confused:
:confused:
Tony,
How long have you had them? I remember this seemed to be a problem a few years back. I seem, to very vaugely, remember something about bad heat treating. But it was, at least, a year ago.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
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From: Apex NC
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Re: BROKEN HOTCHKISS SOLID ENDLINK! More within... (Richin Chicago)
I have had them for several years, don't know if they were installed correctly or not, but I would assume so. Once I get the car back, I will send the snapped endlink to hotckiss which told me they would replace it for free, good customer service. Will check the other ones also. The bar is the mallett sway bar (not the blue bar) that was beefier than z51 but not to T1 specs, cheers and thanks for the install info...
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From: San Jose/Bear Valley CA
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Re: BROKEN HOTCHKISS SOLID ENDLINK! More within... (LG Motorsports)
So do I!! :yesnod:
LG
vetterdstr :cheers:
[Modified by vetterdstr, 9:00 AM 8/15/2003]
