Control arm mounts bent

[Washout92]

His Driver side lower A-arm snapped in half and it bent the upper pretty good. His upper bushing were seized in the arm.
Lower tabs were noticeably bent back and we've straightened them out enough for this next race, he plans on going further to straighten them after this round.

How did he bend the tabs? Pulling?

 

[Admin]

 

[PaulF]

How did he bend the tabs? Pulling?

Racing, his boss likes to hit trees

 

[Washout92]

Racing, his boss likes to hit trees

Ya I hit a washout at 60km/h

 

[Washout92]

Well Honda looked at it and determined the tabs and control arms are bent (obviously) but said that the tubular frame has a ripple in it (similar to a frost heave) that is the main concern. The ripple is .5-1" out of spec on the frame. going to put a new frame in as he said if i drive it as is that my warranty (unlimited KM) will be affected if i ride it with a frame issue.

Friggen bummer as that means my summer season is over.

Will be at least installing the SATV frame stiffener asap

 

[SLOWPOKE693]

I ordered a Super ATV frame stiffener kit today. I was going to build something myself, but with the limited amount of time I have until the new racing season starts I can't afford to waste any more.

Hopefully I made the right choice

 

[SpeedBuggy]

I had the same issue after launching in to a tree. The tabs were considered part of the frame and it was replaced. Also had ripples in the flat metal skid plate under/ behind the front dif. Replaced the frame, and right hub, a arms, axle, front dif, skid plates, bumper . 14K including labor. I was surprised it wasn’t totaled. I had to open a claim with American Honda Motorsports to force an escalation to pull a frame from the assembly line. Honda initially gave my dealer a 1-2 month lead time for delivery. After the escalation it was at the shop in a couple days.

 

[Montecresto]

All the pics I have seen show that rearward forces bend the tabs back, not up. I believe some small triangular gussets welded in just above and below the bolt (with just enough room for a socket) would be the most effective way to stop the most common bending. Something like this...

View attachment 216022

16 of these little beauties would go a long way in strengthening the lower mounting tabs, BUT be careful that you get the width exactly correct. Or possibly just do the back side and let the front float so you still get a "pinch" when you tighten the bolts.

Too bad that bracket isn’t just a heavier (thicker) grade of steel......

 

[Sheetmetalfab]

I ordered a Super ATV frame stiffener kit today. I was going to build something myself, but with the limited amount of time I have until the new racing season starts I can't afford to waste any more.

Hopefully I made the right choice

After installing mine I believe it will save any bending.

 

[Washout92]

I had the same issue after launching in to a tree. The tabs were considered part of the frame and it was replaced. Also had ripples in the flat metal skid plate under/ behind the front dif. Replaced the frame, and right hub, a arms, axle, front dif, skid plates, bumper . 14K including labor. I was surprised it wasn’t totaled. I had to open a claim with American Honda Motorsports to force an escalation to pull a frame from the assembly line. Honda initially gave my dealer a 1-2 month lead time for delivery. After the escalation it was at the shop in a couple days.

They actually so happened to have a frame in Calgary because Honda sent an extra 2 months back lol so I guess I'm lucky. Just have to wait on satv control arms due to this covid thing making satv parts back ordered here in Canada