Prop Shaft Problems

[Guest gavinc]

this isnt the first time it has happened

 

this is what happened to another member in the essex area

 

car had only done 350 miles..

 

must have been a 1000bhp pinto engine

 

"or was knocked during fitting"

[fry61]

Would be good to have some feed-back from Richard or Ian at GBS on this issue --- makes me wonder if I should start taking the car apart BEFORE it has even turned a wheel as it's very safety critical.

[Guest avongrove1]

I have sent a photo of my twisted and broken prop shaft to Richard at GBS and also a link to this topic and have asked him to contact me with his opinion. This was two days ago but he has yet to come back to me! To run a successful business, you have to listen to the opinions of your customers. And if those customers throw enough muck, eventually it does stick.

[Guest Dan_Beeston]

And if those customers throw enough muck, eventually it does stick.

 

No comment

[Guest phil howard]

No comment

 

I have just checked with Ian & Richard at GBS and the current prop being produced by GBS are in line with the Ford spec [upto 200bhp], however they do an enhanced spec for use with the duratec motor.

 

Cheers

Phil

[Guest Dan_Beeston]

It's good to see they've sorted this out!

 

I know a lot of people take what RH/GBS tell them as gospel, but there's a number of people on here with experiences that have taught them to tread carefully....

[Longboarder]

GBS have been steadily correcting many longstanding problems and weaknesses in Robin Hood kits. Quality of their current output is higher than the bits many of us have from the old RHSC or RHE days. It would seem that they have already identified the props as a possible problem and upgraded accordingly. But it should also be noted that the current company is a new and separate entity from RHSC or RHE. If the broken prop was supplied by GBS then they have a responsibility to investigate and sort it. I doubt they would shirk that responsibility. If it was supplied by RHE then they have no such duty although in the past they have tried to help where they can.

I know a lot of people take what RH/GBS tell them as gospel, but there's a number of people on here with experiences that have taught them to tread carefully....

I have to agree. I've been given advice both good and bad by experts, professionals, old hands and newbies and often talk garbage myself. I try to listen and keep the brain running as best I can. Anyone who claims to be infallible is best avoided.

Public mud throwing? Last resort. Both parties end up with muddy hands, muddy faces, no solution and looking like ****s.

 

Nigel

[Guest gdc]

wise words nigel .

[Guest old_timbo]

Has anyone an idea of when the weak propshafts that failed were made? I've got a 2004 2B and I've got some transmission vibration at high speed so I'm getting twitchy.

 

Tim

[Guest turbo]

vibration was my warning b4 it eventually let go at top speed on the 3rd lane of the m6 traveling home from stoneleigh.

if i ever own another rh. the prop will be changed right away.

when i got the new one from dunning & fairbank i then understood why the rh ones were known for failure.

[fry61]

Longboarders post is right on the money -- does any know & care to tell if all the weak props where made & sold before GBS took over? With-out an answer I think I may be removing my prop before it's turned a wheel 'cos most blokes would sense an abnormal vibration, but my wife --- probably not (no that's not a reason for her not driving it).

[Guest Dan_Beeston]

Wise words indeed Nigel. I certainly hope no-one is getting burnt like the bad old days. It should be noted I can't comment on how the business is run nowadays, as I've not dealt with RHE/RHSC/GBS since it became GBS.

 

On the subject of props, I had one of the last RHSC kits (most of it, not all of it was delivered, but thats another story ), and my prop failed spectacularly, so I would suggest checking all RHSC suppled props.

 

It should also be remembered that the RHSC inventroy ended up in GBS, so I wouldn't be suprised if they continued supplying the same props in GBS kits. For those that don't know, a prop failing at speed can be VERY dangerous (The prop will generally still be attached at the diff end and will whip around at over 3x wheel speed for as long as the back wheels are turning!), so if you're in any doubt, check it out!

[Grizzly]

I too am getting a bit nervous about all this, allthough there's no vibration on mine and I have no reason to suspect that it's about to give up.

The kit was bought from RHE in November 2002. I'm using a 2.0 Pinto in Std tune (approx 120bhp at the flywheel).

I have 18,000 miles on the clock now. Done Elvington Dragway, The Nurburgring and had a thrash around Croft.

I did remove the prop once - It seemed fine and I do try and get some grease into the UJs at least once a year (not always successfully though).

Maybe it was just a bad batch??? Without accumulating more data (Date, mileage etc) we'll never get to the bottom of this.

If people would care to supply such info, I'd be happy to try and collate it.

Just rang Dunning & Fairbanks. New Ujs, Balance and a general check-over circa £60 + VAT (£105 + VAT for a new one).

I think those from GBSC are priced from £100 (not sure if that includes VAT though).

I'll be taking mine to Dunning & Fairbanks over the winter when I'm on SORN.

HTH

[Guest mower man]

Hi have been following this topic with some concern.If the prop mentioned failed with pinto power it simply WAS NOT made to correct spec!!. IFaprop can be damaged by KNOCKING IT likewise the spec is inncorrect!!!!.Ihave seen rally car props bent like a banana OK big vibs broken engine/gearbox mtgs ,double vision ,loose fillings but NEVER SHEARED OR TWISTED .A QUICK CHECK [NOT INFALLIBLE!!!!!!!!!] STRIKE THE PROP LIGHTLY !IT SHOULD RING ,IF EXHAUST !?! PIPE HAS BEEN USED IT WILL SOUND FLAT!!!.As said this not perfect but may set your minds at rest.Ihave hed over 40 years experince in vehicle repair and maintainance and like to think Iknow a little about these things but have been knownto be wrong.HOPE to seesome of you over the week end at Stafford .regards mowerman

[Guest avongrove1]

Just a quick update. Got a new prop for my Robin Hood. Made next day and only cost £100.00 cash. Came black painted and lacquered, both knuckles greased. My car is now safely back on the road! Don't know the guage of the metal but this one is significantly heavier than the original one supplied with the kit. Was made by Johnny Bunga in Glasgow and if you are interested in getting a good top quality prop for your car, he can be contacted on 0141-778-3479/07976 744 204.

 

P.S. Sure he told me his son is the current European Motocross champion and is usually found on Sky Sports every week. He also specialises in tuning bike carbs if that's of any interest to anyone. Oh and by the way, I could not attempt to tell you what he said about my old prop shaft!