Topic: Crushed or Stretched Bends Assessment

Background: Purchased car that previously ran Lemons in 2012.  Cage was built by previous owner. 

Upon myself running through the tech sheet rather stringently, I found the some questions when evaluating the qualitative part on crushed, stretched, and crimped bends.  After scanning the forums I have seen some mixed opinions so figure I would post it up here.  The cage appears it may have "crushed"/"stretched" bends on the inner radius where the diameter does "neck down" some, but are nowhere near as bad as those depicted in the "How not to fail Lemons Tech" guide or the "Common Tech Failures" thread.  If there is any deformation to the outer radius it is barely visible.

Appreciate people's opinions on if this would or would not pass tech.  I'm trying to be realistic here as to what is acceptable--from what I have read, the only way to prevent any deformation is a "real" mandrel bend which most shops do not even have the tools for.  I would really rather not rip this out and spend $2K on a new cage--is there anything else that I can do, if needed, such as adding gussets to support the overall structure?

http://i.imgur.com/JYQFbOw.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/JK1mNny.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/I31KsEv.jpg.
http://i.imgur.com/7bbrEez.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/zJjOu8q.jpg

More photos at link below, but apparently I can't post links without enough posts.
imgur dot com /a/E3ZDm

Re: Crushed or Stretched Bends Assessment

Those appear acceptable to me. The mandrel benderdoes that somewhat. Sometimes the smaller the bend, the more apparent the inner witness of the inner mandrel is.

3 (edited by mully006 2016-10-13 08:24 AM)

Re: Crushed or Stretched Bends Assessment

Like I say to all cage and tech questions.  Email John Pagel, pagel@24hoursoflemons.com

His opinion is the deciding factor and that of the judges at your specific race.  While the forum gives good advice, its still just advice and it would suck to have to spend all day and night rebuilding your cage in the pits while other people are racing and drinking. 

Like these guys did
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0fQvU5mros

Moot Point Racing - 1991 Volvo 240 - #496

Re: Crushed or Stretched Bends Assessment

Those welds look pretty shitty to my untrained eye.

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Re: Crushed or Stretched Bends Assessment

https://i.imgur.com/ZdpzjKF.jpg
That is some FUUGGLY welding on that gusset bar.

You should also measure your spreader plates. It's hard to tell if they are large enough.

Sadly, the welds are at the bottom of the acceptable range. Ask John Pagel how to improve the safety of the cage.

The bends are pretty common for a manual, entry-level mandrel bender.

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Re: Crushed or Stretched Bends Assessment

The bends look OK to me, but the welding is pretty bad.  Also that is NOT the required SFI padding on the A-pillar as shown.

Captain
Team Super Westerfield Bros.
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Re: Crushed or Stretched Bends Assessment

VKZ24 wrote:

The bends look OK to me, but the welding is pretty bad.  Also that is NOT the required SFI padding on the A-pillar as shown.

SFI padding is not required. Just needs pad, doesn't need to be rated.

Re: Crushed or Stretched Bends Assessment

rlchv70 wrote:

SFI padding is not required. Just needs pad, doesn't need to be rated.

That pad doesn't even look to be even high-density padding that is required.  Looks like a pipe insulation from Lowes from that pic.

IMO, Lemons SHOULD require the SFI stuff because it's much better, but sure, go with the minimum if that's what you prefer.

Captain
Team Super Westerfield Bros.
'93 Acura Integra - No VTEC Yo!

Re: Crushed or Stretched Bends Assessment

Have SFI padding on order for helmet areas and HD padding on order for other areas for where appendages may contact. Previous owner put on that home depot garbage.

Appreciate the comments though. Am evaluating the spreader plates, they are close.

Will email the referenced judge.

Re: Crushed or Stretched Bends Assessment

Those look like normal mandrel bends to me; maybe a tiny bit strerched but probably acceptable.  The welds, while not pretty, may also be passable.  As others have mentioned, Evil John (Pagel)  is the guy to contact for these kinds of questions.

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Re: Crushed or Stretched Bends Assessment

Moonman wrote:

Have SFI padding on order for helmet areas and HD padding on order for other areas for where appendages may contact. Previous owner put on that home depot garbage.

Appreciate the comments though. Am evaluating the spreader plates, they are close.

Will email the referenced judge.

I got a piece of Non-SFI Longacre padding and a piece of SFI rated Longacre padding.......

Only Difference, one had "SFI" printed on it, and cost more.

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