68 replies to this topic

[NickB787]

I had mine replaced once, I had a later version than Maxr and they lasted ok but noticed some play so Spitfire sent me a new set os ends which so far no play at all, will see how the setup works on track

[GeorgeBC]

Has anyone ever had a set of standard toe links fail when they are only 2 or 3 years old? Im going to slightly larger rubber and although i 100% trust my less than 6 month old toe links on R888's at the moment, id kick my self if i stuffed it into the armco because they failed. Im not convinced i need uprated ones or trust them and im more than happy to pay for a geo once a year or two so im not concerned about that cost. But if a standard set have failed within the first two years i will upgrade. Anyone?

[JimmyJamJerusalem]

Fab's went at the National in '09 not sure how old they were though....

[FLD]

Fab's went at the National in '09 not sure how old they were though....

Wasn't that HCB failure not toe link? There was a toe link failure that Nelly welded up IIRC.

[GeorgeBC]

Ive seen a video of a vx having a toe link snap at the national but it wasn't fab. I know they will eventually go but im more interested in how old they are when they go as im trying to convince my self the uprated ones are worth the extra wonga. At the moment im thinking replace my standard ones every 18 months to 2 years will do. Would anyone fully trust 5 year old uprated ones if they manage to get that old before finding play in them?

[Crazyfrog (Fab)]

Wasn't that HCB failure not toe link? There was a toe link failure that Nelly welded up IIRC.

Hub Bolt Carrier failure due to my fault running sticky tyres and 340 geo without upgrading the bolt and having upgraded the toes link the year before
toe link failure on this car the year before at 80 mph on the motorway ( pretty scary and no damage on the car) and replace with full spitfire toes link

[techieboy]

Bargi's toe link died at the same National as Fab's HCB's. If you run sticky tyres and track with any regularity, I'd fit one of the upgraded options. If not, treat them as service item. I've had Spitfire toe links on since shortly after they were released (with the second version of the joints) and have had no issues with excess play despite running sticky tyres, 20+ trackdays, a couple of Walshy days and 20k miles. At one point, on the way to a Silverstone trackday of all things (still did the day though ), I thought I'd got a problem with play in them and promptly had a whinge at Spitfire. Spitfire promptly sent out a new set of further upgraded spec outer joints and asked me to send the old ones back in for him to check. When I came to take them off, they were barely done up and loose in the uprights. That was just after I'd done the suspension refresh and had a pikey geo done by a local tyre place, to get the car pointing in a straight line. So most definitely not the fault of the kit itself. Sent the old ones off to Spitfire and he confirmed after checking them, that there was no play in them at all.

[Crazyfrog (Fab)]

Fab's went at the National in '09 not sure how old they were though....

jimmy how can you make such mistake (forgetting ) you was the one who temporally fix the hcb for my journey back home and still have the picture of you working madly on the car (with sutol next to it)...
pm me your adress and i'll post it to you as it is a very nice pic

[JimmyJamJerusalem]

Bargi's toe link died at the same National as Fab's HCB's.

Ahh yes that's right. I should have remembered that given it was Simsy and me that fixed Fab's car

[techieboy]

Bargi's toe link died at the same National as Fab's HCB's.

Ahh yes that's right. I should have remembered that given it was Simsy and me that fixed Fab's car

I still don't know how you managed to drill that fecking bolt out.

[Clubman]

Hi,

 

I know that this post is old, but I'm planning of changing my toe-links and I'm a bit puzzled by the options.

 

The use of the car will be mainly road use with some occasional track day. I am not currently planning going for some super sticky tires nor slicks.

 

- Do I need to put an upgraded double shear kit? I don't like the idea of drilling the rear subframe very much.

 

- Is there any reinforced option as an OEM replacement part? I know that there are some toe links more prone to snappng because of their endrods design.

 

Thanks!

[FLD]

From what I've read  OEM ones are fine for road use and the occasional trackday.  However, they should be considered a service item as they do suffer from fatigue and can crack through the ball joint peg.  I use OEM ones and replae them every couple of years.  I buy mine from lotus rather than vauxhall as they are cheaper and I know lotus have revised the ball joints several times so you should get the latest.

 

As for the aftermarket ones they do require the subframe to be drilled but I believe they are pretty good once fitted.  I haven't heard of one fail catastrophically like the OEM ones but I have heard problems of ball joint wear.  Hopefully someone with one of these can comment

[Bumblebee]

I've got the spitfire toe links, had them for about 1year/year and half. Recently been to MMG where he checked them and everything is spot on

[Pidgeon]

My opinion is that OE failures are preceeded by the joint seizing.  If they are checked for movement (i.e. they haven't seized) they are good for life.

 

I've done countless miles and TDs on sticky rubber and OE links without problem.

 

I have recently had an informed exchange with Spitfire about his set and can state 1, I will be buying a set in the short term and 2, the aftermarket alternatives (to Spitfire) are not as good.

[chris_uk]

Like techie ive had my spitfire ones since they were released and ive never had an issue with they. Always been solid.

Edited by chris_uk, 03 June 2014 - 09:11 AM.

[LY_Scott]

I would add I replaced with OEM. The replacements were a bulkier item. They are not the exact same part. OEM is fine for what I do.

[Clubman]

Thanks guys!

 

I think that I'll opt for the OEM replacement ones for now.

[techieboy]

I think that I'll opt for the OEM replacement ones for now.

 

If you've got a 2.2, you might not have an option other than to go aftermarket.

[LY_Scott]

How comes? Got my untapered ends quite easily in April.

[ghand]

How comes? Got my untapered ends quite easily in April.

I did the same , posted a pic of how much better they seemed than the original ones I took off a few month back. Should be good for another 13 years and another 75k I would think. Also if the back end ever slides side on into anything they should snap and save the mount points as designed and not scrap the car like the solid girder replacements may do.