Heads up .. Flaming River

[Sheck44]

Ok, guys I am doing this as a favor for a buddy of mine that is building a very nice 69' camaro, and is not tech savvy. Just to be clear I have no interest here but to make you guys aware of this situation. As a safety professional I have investigated some catastrophic failures due to inadequate steel ... and this looks likely. If Flaming River had of taken this more seriously than they have then I would not have posted this, but since they are shrugging off responsibility and not taking this seriously then it is my duty to bring this to light ...

The steering shaft knuckle that is supposed to be torqued to 14" pounds (I believe) snapped in half at 6" pounds. We all know what would happen if one of these snapped while driving ... Keep in mind my friend is a machinist and knows how to torque properly.

[71RS/SS396]

That's why I only use Borgeson joints.

[Build-It-Break-it]

I only use GM complete steering shafts. They are made to collapse, tested and cheap. They fit most aftermarket subframes and DD steering shaft.

[andrewb70]

Ahmad,

What vehicle is that shaft from?

Andrew

[Dirtmod08]

I'm not a big fan of aftermarket steering stuff either for this reason. I prefer to run tried and true factory issue stuff wherever I can. Tilt columns have been a catastrophe from many suppliers too.

[DOOM]

WOW!!! Thanks for the heads up one of my biggest fears and I have that exact same set up! I can't believe there not doing anything about this ???

[zz430droptop67rs]

Originally Posted by 71RS/SS396

That's why I only use Borgeson joints.

I was just getting ready to post that same thing.

[LS7 Z/28]

Originally Posted by 71RS/SS396

That's why I only use Borgeson joints.

Originally Posted by zz430droptop67rs

I was just getting ready to post that same thing.

I agree completely.

I don't plan on buying anything from Flaming River again after dealing with a complete dickhead on the phone from their facility. They wouldn't take the time to help with a question like most of the well known manufacturers I deal with.

Seeing this just makes me laugh. Not for the safety of the people who purchased their products, but because I think Flaming River is a joke. I'll stick to buying Ididit coulums and borgeson joints.

[Build-It-Break-it]

Originally Posted by andrewb70

Ahmad,

What vehicle is that shaft from?

Andrew

Hey Andrew, they usually come in Astro vans and jeeps of different years. The complete steering shaft with joints is about $20 at any pick and pull compared about $200 for a complete aftermarket one that doesn't collapse.

I only use GM steering columns to. Having to deal with an aftermarket company to repair a column is a pain. Plus most of those aftermarket columns don't collapse and cost $$ if they do. I also shorten them to any length I need . I shorten them to move away from the driver in the cab or in the engine bay. Way worth the $65 and labor to get a factory column.

Less then $100 you get a complete steering set up,column to steering rack . Not bad if you ask me.

[mfain]

I can almost guarantee that part was made "off-shore". The issue is the quality of the steel that it is made from, regardless of the US engineering that went into designing the part. I lost the end of one finger to a "Made in China" coil spring compressor when the center exploded - just like the Flaming River part. Whenever I buy aftermarket parts that are significant, I try to ask the supplier where it is built. Some won't answer, but most are made overseas. As for GM, I just bought a "Genuine GM Parts" driveshaft carrier bearing, a set of oil cooler lines, a heater hose....etc-----"made in China, Mainland" stamped all over them. Disk brake pads -----"made in India". Truck wheel bearings ---- "made in Mexico". All of this stuff was in GM wrappers, but you can compare the stuff with the parts you are replacing and see the obvious quality differences. Not good differences! But what do you do? By the way, I use Woodward and/or Sweet steering components.

Pappy