WARNING to autocrossers!
07-09-2006, 10:04 PM
#26
New Member
Join Date: 07-09-06
Location: Misery Bay Region, PA
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by LittleStealthSS
Well, I spent the whole weekend at the track auto-xing .... and no issues here. Made a 65 mile trip back home as well.
I still have thought about getting them this fall just in case....lol
I still have thought about getting them this fall just in case....lol
07-24-2006, 01:52 PM
#27
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: 07-01-06
Location: Brandon FL
Posts: 620
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm a big auto-x fan but this thread scares me, I dont need to ruin a new car. Has anyone had this mod done? If so how much is labor? If you haven't had it done, any problems auto-xing?
I tend to think the knuckle that was seen broken was on a car that was setup to run auto-x's meaing suspension tuning, stickier tires etc. Which would mean to me that more force was being put on that knuckly anyway. I'm wondering if you run stock, or close to stock if the problem exists at all.
I tend to think the knuckle that was seen broken was on a car that was setup to run auto-x's meaing suspension tuning, stickier tires etc. Which would mean to me that more force was being put on that knuckly anyway. I'm wondering if you run stock, or close to stock if the problem exists at all.
07-24-2006, 01:58 PM
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: 02-28-06
Location: Greensburg (PA)
Posts: 950
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
MY guess is the bearing will start to go WAY beofre it has catastrophic failure. You should be doing a cursory bearing check if you autocross anyways. Jack up car grab wheel see if there is any oscillation or wheel play. If it is, the bearings are going.
Otherwise it should be relaitively safe for occasional autocross/track day play.
Otherwise it should be relaitively safe for occasional autocross/track day play.
07-24-2006, 08:12 PM
#29
Originally Posted by Sicklyscott
I'm a big auto-x fan but this thread scares me, I dont need to ruin a new car. Has anyone had this mod done? If so how much is labor? If you haven't had it done, any problems auto-xing?
I tend to think the knuckle that was seen broken was on a car that was setup to run auto-x's meaing suspension tuning, stickier tires etc. Which would mean to me that more force was being put on that knuckly anyway. I'm wondering if you run stock, or close to stock if the problem exists at all.
I tend to think the knuckle that was seen broken was on a car that was setup to run auto-x's meaing suspension tuning, stickier tires etc. Which would mean to me that more force was being put on that knuckly anyway. I'm wondering if you run stock, or close to stock if the problem exists at all.
07-25-2006, 06:28 PM
#32
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 05-25-05
Location: Sterling Heights, MI
Posts: 1,244
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Sicklyscott
I'm a big auto-x fan but this thread scares me, I dont need to ruin a new car. Has anyone had this mod done? If so how much is labor? If you haven't had it done, any problems auto-xing?
I tend to think the knuckle that was seen broken was on a car that was setup to run auto-x's meaing suspension tuning, stickier tires etc. Which would mean to me that more force was being put on that knuckly anyway. I'm wondering if you run stock, or close to stock if the problem exists at all.
I tend to think the knuckle that was seen broken was on a car that was setup to run auto-x's meaing suspension tuning, stickier tires etc. Which would mean to me that more force was being put on that knuckly anyway. I'm wondering if you run stock, or close to stock if the problem exists at all.
08-05-2006, 11:24 AM
#33
Senior Member
Join Date: 10-08-05
Location: AZ
Posts: 5,295
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I kinda stole this from the *cough*RL Forums*cough* but thought it was crucial enough that it needed to be posted.
Bulletin # 06-03-08-001B (6/16/06) Availability of Steering Knuckles for Comp. Use
This bulletin is being updated to add models and model years. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 06-03-08-001A (Section 03 - Suspension).
05-07 Chevy Cobalt
05-07 Pontiac Pursuit
04-07 Ion, Ion Redline
This is to advise owners who intend to use their vehicles for competitive driving, of the availability of alternate steering knuckles, and to provide recommended alignment specifications for those owners who use their vehicles for competitive driving. These steering knuckles are available through GM service parts and are suggested for use on the Cobalt (Pursuit)/ION Redline. Refer to the Parts Information below for ordering instructions.
The following alignment settings provide for even tire wear in competitive driving.
Please use the following alignment specifications for competitive driving only:
Camber
Front
-1.5 .75 deg.
Rear
-1.5 .75 deg.
Caster
Front
3.65 .75 deg.
Toe
Front
.20 .5 deg.
Rear
.25 .5 deg.
Part # 88958710 LH Knuckle
88958711 RH Knuckle
This bulletin is being updated to add models and model years. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 06-03-08-001A (Section 03 - Suspension).
05-07 Chevy Cobalt
05-07 Pontiac Pursuit
04-07 Ion, Ion Redline
This is to advise owners who intend to use their vehicles for competitive driving, of the availability of alternate steering knuckles, and to provide recommended alignment specifications for those owners who use their vehicles for competitive driving. These steering knuckles are available through GM service parts and are suggested for use on the Cobalt (Pursuit)/ION Redline. Refer to the Parts Information below for ordering instructions.
The following alignment settings provide for even tire wear in competitive driving.
Please use the following alignment specifications for competitive driving only:
Camber
Front
-1.5 .75 deg.
Rear
-1.5 .75 deg.
Caster
Front
3.65 .75 deg.
Toe
Front
.20 .5 deg.
Rear
.25 .5 deg.
Part # 88958710 LH Knuckle
88958711 RH Knuckle
08-30-2006, 10:49 PM
#34
Senior Member
Join Date: 06-18-06
Location: Madison,WI
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
dang i really wanted to take mine auto x-ing but im worried now...the knuckles + labor isnt in the budget anytime too soon
has anyone really had this happen to them?
has anyone really had this happen to them?
08-31-2006, 10:14 PM
#37
LSX RWD S/C conversion
iTrader: (2)
Originally Posted by cawpin
GM PART # 88958710
CATEGORY: Steering Knuckle
PACK QTY: 1 CORE CHARGE: $0.00
GM LIST: $335.71
OUR PRICE: $244.40
From gmpartsdirect.com
CATEGORY: Steering Knuckle
PACK QTY: 1 CORE CHARGE: $0.00
GM LIST: $335.71
OUR PRICE: $244.40
From gmpartsdirect.com
Thanks for the info. I guess I best order these soon.
09-01-2006, 09:11 AM
#39
Senior Member
Join Date: 05-01-06
Location: Irwin,PA
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hmmmmmm
I've done about 5 Auto-X's so far this year and have 4 more coming up.
I've not had any problems yet. I will most likely order those parts over the winter JUST IN CASE I need them for next season.
I've not had anyone ask any questions as of yet to the mods that are or are not done to the car. Not sure how NATS work for SCCA as far as inspection goes, but I haven't seen where any of the guys are checking THAT close on things. More a safety inspection and obvious class infringements, like CAI ( if in stock class ) and those kinds of things.
Looks like next year, I'll be running in Street Mod ( SM ) anyway, so won't matter.
I've done about 5 Auto-X's so far this year and have 4 more coming up.
I've not had any problems yet. I will most likely order those parts over the winter JUST IN CASE I need them for next season.
I've not had anyone ask any questions as of yet to the mods that are or are not done to the car. Not sure how NATS work for SCCA as far as inspection goes, but I haven't seen where any of the guys are checking THAT close on things. More a safety inspection and obvious class infringements, like CAI ( if in stock class ) and those kinds of things.
Looks like next year, I'll be running in Street Mod ( SM ) anyway, so won't matter.
09-02-2006, 11:23 PM
#43
New Member
Join Date: 09-02-06
Location: ypsilanti MI
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by red_wing_2121
If you are autocrossing a Cobat SS S/C (don't know if others are affected), you may want to replace your steering knuckles.
I was at an autocross event today and some of the GM Tech Center employees were autocrossing some GM Corporate vehicles. There were two or three solstice's and one Cobalt SS S/C. Well, after about 6-7 runs, the Cobalt comes around a sharp left turn that immediately transitions into a right and right after the transition, the left front of the Cobalt dropped. The wheel was completely caved into the fender and had to be moved off of the course on wheel dollies. The GM employees said that they knew it would probably not last.
I know that GM is offering steering knuckles for competition use for the Cobalt, which should be much stronger than stock. I will post the GM document ASAP that describes the competition knuckle, but I have to find it.
I was at an autocross event today and some of the GM Tech Center employees were autocrossing some GM Corporate vehicles. There were two or three solstice's and one Cobalt SS S/C. Well, after about 6-7 runs, the Cobalt comes around a sharp left turn that immediately transitions into a right and right after the transition, the left front of the Cobalt dropped. The wheel was completely caved into the fender and had to be moved off of the course on wheel dollies. The GM employees said that they knew it would probably not last.
I know that GM is offering steering knuckles for competition use for the Cobalt, which should be much stronger than stock. I will post the GM document ASAP that describes the competition knuckle, but I have to find it.
09-03-2006, 03:34 PM
#44
Senior Member
Join Date: 10-08-05
Location: AZ
Posts: 5,295
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by novaracer69
The dscca had a autoxschool and there was a red cobalt with some GM tech center guys learning. I was there and i seen it all i was a instructor and corner 5 capt. they went over the crest of a small hill in the lot and over that hill was a 180. the driver came over the hill and turned the wheel to full right lock before the front tires were on the ground. and when they hit the car still went around the corner but when they hit the slalom the wheels were pointing weird. i have pics of the car, the knuckle snaped in many places around the bearing.
09-03-2006, 06:02 PM
#45
Senior Member
Join Date: 05-01-06
Location: Irwin,PA
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I too would be interested in seeing this.
I hope that GM is doing something about strengthing these parts on the stock pieces as well. If the upgraded ones are not good for the street... that kinda sucks for us using these as DDs.
I hope that GM is doing something about strengthing these parts on the stock pieces as well. If the upgraded ones are not good for the street... that kinda sucks for us using these as DDs.
09-30-2006, 09:30 PM
#48
New Member
Join Date: 06-29-06
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
so what about on cars that don't really go to the track that often (it says not recommended). if a part is made stronger for track use then why would it not be recommended for street use... do the mean the alignment that's not recommended or is it the part??? wouldnt a camber kit fix the problem???
10-06-2006, 06:50 PM
#50
Member
Join Date: 07-28-06
Location: Toronto
Posts: 385
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So has anyone actually had there knuckles fail on them? Sounds pretty stupid of the driver to crank the steering wheel in one direction while still in the air, also that isn't somthing anyone at an autocross would normally be able to do. I don't think I have ever been to an actual autocross that had a parking lot with a bump to get airborn off of.