I read that if you autocrossing of road racing that the steering knuckels on the SS/SC can have catastrofic failure. What I haven't seen is anyone repoting theirs failing. I dont Autocross, but, sometimes I drive like im racing on back roads, and I'm always trying to take on and off ramps a few MPH faster than the last time. I would love to go to a street track some day. Do I have to worry about my steering knuckels busting apart?? Has anyone had failure?

I wouldnt mind buying them if I had a reason to suspect mine would fail, but from what I've seen none has had the failur yet.

Any info and help is apreciated!!!!

 

I know there are a racing set available through GM, but I take my car to the track and have had no problem what so ever, nor have I heard of any.

 

Interested to see what comes up here. I like taking the on/off ramps at high speeds as well, but I definitely don't want that SOB to break and me end up flipping the car of something.

 

I've also never heard of the knuckle failing. However, the GMPP part does allow for better competition oriented alignment specs. But those specs probably would be a bad idea on the street unless you really like buying new tires a lot.

 

Thats what I'mworried about the most. I blew a front tire in a SHO going about 110 and I thought I was going to die. I can't imagine having one FALL OFF at like 80 around a turn.

 

According to the TSB they fail on Hard Left - right Transitions. Ie. Slalom

 

We've been talking about this on the SCCA Forums since I asked about the parts being legal in Stock classes ( they're NOT ).

While no one's really had them fail, there was 1 SS/SC that DID fail. Apparently it was on a former GMPP car that was Autocrossing and hit a nasty transition, and it was a sharp bump that did it. This car was said to have been used originally by GMPP for "durability testing", and that could explain the hows and whys of the part failing later in it's life.

I haven't had any issues with mine Autocrossing, and I know of 1 SS/SC locally that Autocrosses AND open tracks the car, and she's had no failures.

That's not to say it WON'T happen, but at this time... no. I have well over 50K miles on mine as well, and no problems there.

 

I've been a bit weary about it myself, rather safe than sorry. However the parts cost in total $500 bucks plus labor, a little too pricey for me to be safe when I'm not really beating on the car all that badly. I think you should start being concerned when running R compound tires and some real stiff suspension as that will add much more forces on that peice. However with a grippy street tire and a suspension setup that doesn't kill your kidney's every day, you should be alright.

 

Thanks for the Info guys!!! I will sleep better at night knowing that. Thats not a joke.

 

I just read the buletin on SI(I work at a GM dealor) and it does not say anything like that.

this is the info from the SI buletin "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. (This steering knuckle may also be installed and the alignment specifications used, at the customer's discretion, for non-competition purposes.) "