Radioactive Man Posted May 4, 2021 Author Share Posted May 4, 2021 1 hour ago, rogerguzzi said: Hello Ian Here you go if you have deep pockets!!!! Not sure outside of racing it is worth it? They look the dogs whatsits. Reads like a lot of thought has gone into the design on the face of it. Hoping to catch up with out metallurgist at work tomorrow for him to pass judgement on my broken shaft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Jones Posted May 4, 2021 Share Posted May 4, 2021 Those CDD kits look nice. However, I do wonder how many he will sell at that price, considering you could do a roto-based CV set-up for not alot more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Escadrille Ecosse Posted May 4, 2021 Share Posted May 4, 2021 30 minutes ago, Nick Jones said: Those CDD kits look nice. However, I do wonder how many he will sell at that price, considering you could do a roto-based CV set-up for not alot more. Yes. I suppose for competition where you have to use the original basic setup. Or if you want to keep the car essentially original. Or as it's basically a straight swap there's less engineering involved than changing to the roto/CV. Moreso if you have to get a hold of all the roto bits on top of that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Jones Posted May 4, 2021 Share Posted May 4, 2021 All true.... but if you want to keep the original setup the original (or original pattern) parts are all available at a fraction of the cost and they do actually work reasonably well. Competition is a fair point but how many now out there racing Spitfires seriously now? I hope he does sell some - he's put the effort in. Maybe now values are climbing.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Escadrille Ecosse Posted May 4, 2021 Share Posted May 4, 2021 True Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radioactive Man Posted May 5, 2021 Author Share Posted May 5, 2021 It’s a lot of cash but if you added up the price of all new parts to match those included so with the new inner hub, sensible trunnion bush solution, stronger bearings etc then it perhaps isn’t such a bad deal. Especially if you factor in the short run batch premium for machining etc. Just need a lottery win now. More chance of being struck by lightening Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerguzzi Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 Hello All I think I will stick with my Fitchets ones at about £75 each Plus if you fit ones that good and drive that hard I think you may get through a diff, gearbox or engine or two! But the drive shafts will still be good Perhaps buy an MX5? Roger 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Jones Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 6 minutes ago, rogerguzzi said: Perhaps buy an MX5? Certainly you can buy a complete working MX5 for the price of those shafts...... ...... though probably not a a great one. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Escadrille Ecosse Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 27 minutes ago, Nick Jones said: Certainly you can buy a complete working MX5 for the price of those shafts...... ...... though probably not a a great one. 36 minutes ago, rogerguzzi said: Plus if you fit ones that good and drive that hard I think you may get through a diff, gearbox or engine or two! But the drive shafts will still be good Likely true... Having said that, breaking one of the originals was one of the reasons I've toyed with the idea of fitting a roto-derived CV conversion to mine. I have one new-old stock on the car now and one original (short shafts). @rogerguzzi I take it you were very happy with the Fitchett's ones being top quality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerguzzi Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 Hello Colin One has covered 7500miles and the other 5000 miles. The ones that the yokes came loose covered 2000 and 4500 miles but I could hear them before that! The first we were touring Ireland and did about 400 miles with it clicking The second we were touring Spain and did about the same with it clicking. I recon you can rebuild them with new shafts and quality bearings and U/J's for about £150 each if you shop about for bearings (Fleabay Etc) So that leaves about £700 to spend on other things! Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Escadrille Ecosse Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 Thanks Roger. As you say I'm pretty sure I can find other things to spend that kind of money on. Underwhelming performance from those other ones you had though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radioactive Man Posted May 6, 2021 Author Share Posted May 6, 2021 Thanks @rogerguzziall back together. New old shaft looks fine on a quick test drive. Need to speak to TD Fitchett and build up some new shafts. The works metallurgist had a good look at the failed shaft. He thinks there was a crack for a long time Looking at the area of failure that’s polished. He was impressed by how long the shaft hung on before the final fast fracture. The weld may have accelerated things. Will be replacing the other side for piece of mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteStupps Posted May 7, 2021 Share Posted May 7, 2021 13 hours ago, Radioactive Man said: The works metallurgist had a good look at the failed shaft. He thinks there was a crack for a long time Looking at the area of failure that’s polished. He was impressed by how long the shaft hung on before the final fast fracture. That's interesting - I wonder what 'a long time' means in terms of mileage. Hopefully the metallurgist's admiration of the failure is a comfort to you and the Mrs!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radioactive Man Posted May 7, 2021 Author Share Posted May 7, 2021 2 hours ago, PeteStupps said: That's interesting - I wonder what 'a long time' means in terms of mileage. Hopefully the metallurgist's admiration of the failure is a comfort to you and the Mrs!! He was talking it could have been years in the making. He was going by the large area that was polished. He was of the opinion the fracture was pretty large and well established before the shaft failed... so perhaps for a road car the factor of safety is pretty high in terms of design numbers. he wanted to cut it up and stick it under his microscope. I am more interested in sticking it up on the wall as a trophy so didn’t let him cut it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radioactive Man Posted June 7, 2021 Author Share Posted June 7, 2021 Gone in for the repaint under the bonnet this morning so I expect several weeks of fantastic weather while the car is away. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Jones Posted June 8, 2021 Share Posted June 8, 2021 7 hours ago, Radioactive Man said: I expect several weeks of fantastic weather while the car is away Certainly seems to be the case today…. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerguzzi Posted June 8, 2021 Share Posted June 8, 2021 Hello Ian Now is the time to get your new drive shafts built up? Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radioactive Man Posted June 8, 2021 Author Share Posted June 8, 2021 Need to pull my finger out! Will get round to see you sometime soon Roger! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerguzzi Posted June 8, 2021 Share Posted June 8, 2021 Hello Ian We have enough parts to build 2 except drive flange(unless you can this bugger off the bit of shaft!) A 20 ton press may do it? Roger ps just to wind you the Breakfast inspectors are out tomorrow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radioactive Man Posted July 10, 2021 Author Share Posted July 10, 2021 At last it’s back from paint. Onto the next job / problem Missed having something in the garage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Escadrille Ecosse Posted July 10, 2021 Share Posted July 10, 2021 Good to see it back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Jones Posted July 10, 2021 Share Posted July 10, 2021 Shiny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerguzzi Posted July 10, 2021 Share Posted July 10, 2021 Hello Ian Bling! I hope my Alternator behaves its self! Roger ps we are out Wednesday if you are free? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radioactive Man Posted July 10, 2021 Author Share Posted July 10, 2021 Hi Roger, not this week. 20th wedding anniversary so have a treat planned for Gemma. Thanks for asking though. Will catch up soon I am sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerguzzi Posted July 10, 2021 Share Posted July 10, 2021 58 minutes ago, Radioactive Man said: Hi Roger, not this week. 20th wedding anniversary so have a treat planned for Gemma. Thanks for asking though. Will catch up soon I am sure. Hello Ian Spoil her and take her out on a trip to mid Wales with a load of now what is the polite term? Classic Musketeers who go for it before the Grim reaper calls! We have clocked up 1870mls this year and not been away! Roger 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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