Leisure Wheels- Slight Coverup

[Rocstompa]

I see in the latest leisure wheels there is an article about the Voetspoore trip. In one of the photos there is a broken leaf spring, next to it you can see the name on the shock looks like it has been airbrushed out.

Most people with a knowledge of 4x4-ing and who support the Vootspore team know what type of suspension system this is.

What are you feelings, should they cover it up or do we have a right to know what sytem failed ?

Please dont shoot the messenger this is only a question.

[Stefan]

Haven't got it, yet, but will keep a lookout.

I understand LW's position with paid advertising and all, but I don't think it's right - most (if not all) the equipment is sponsored, so if everything goes well then it's great publicity, but if something goes wrong then it's about how they handle it. I mean, do they (the suppliers of the product) really think we believe that their stuff never breaks?

[Kagiso II]

Sorry to say - but from my side - if they "hide" it, they have more to hide and then I will give them a wide berth [dont like to support dishonest dealers/suppliers etc...]
Somebody will come back and argue that it was done in order NOT to give the opposition "skietgoed" - sorry, it does not carry water. [the fact that it is broken is already known - AND we know what broke..]
Eisjjj - even Sawwe Sannie broke a blade once - and recently one on LOBO broke. These things happen. But don't hide it

Just my view - others' may differ.

[Jules]

If memory serves me right they also broke leafsprings of the same supplier when they used the Patrol bakkie

Shalom
Jules

[Peter Connan]

I beleive that manufacturers should be prepared to carry the can when things go wrong, and I beleive that we should be free always to speak the truth as we see it. Unfortunately I also know that public opinion is a fearsome beast, that people are quick to point fingers without looking at the whole picture, that some people are not above twisting facts to suit them and that anything made by man will break if it is abused enough. If a component is used beyond it's design capacity the manufacturer should not be held accountable, and I am convinced that the vehicles in question were loaded beyond the intention of it's designers. However the spring in question was an "uprated" aftermarket item, and I think none of us know what it is supposed to be able to handle? Therefore it becomes a difficult question.
Most of us overload our vehicles, but my feeling is that if something breaks under those conditions, we should be man enough to take the blame, but that is why we drive Patrols, because experience has shown that they are one of the toughest vehicles around
Possibly I am going off-topic here a little bit:
Popular opinion has it that leaf springs are far more reliable than other types in serious load-carrying applications, because things like Land Cruisers and big lorries still use them. And yet I have often come across broken leaf springs, but never (on a vehicle application) have I seen a broken coil spring. In my professional capacity we use coil springs all the time, some of which are rather larger than anything you are likely to see under a 4x4 anytime soon (our largest spring is made from 40mm wire, is a metre long and can carry more than 6 tonnes). In 13 years I have only seen one broken spring. I firmly beleive that in a vehicular application a leaf spring is more often over-stressed than a coil spring, and because they are also required to control the axle's position and movement, breakage could spell disaster. So my question is, has anybody on this forum ever experienced a broken coil spring on a vehicle?
Cheers
Peter

[Zantus]

Not sure how they can really hide it. They are sponsored by LA Sport, which supplied TJM suspension for the vehicles, that's common knowledge as far as I know. The leaf springs that broke on the Nissans in the previous series were also TJM.

[Ian Abrahamson]

So TJM isnt invincible it seems, coverup its being a bit dishonest.

[Kagiso II]

My L/Wheels arrived in the post [at last] I must admit (a) the older I get, the faster I was (b) eyesight is a bit hazy up close (c) spectacles are 'old' thus:
I had a look at those picts - but I cannot see where the product name was deliberately masked or covered .. but as I say, I don't look so good any more [and I don't see all that well up close either ] - So if I have stepped on any toes [TJM or Leisure Wheels or LA S .. ] I am sorry.
Apart from that - what I said remains a general truth applicable to ALL suppliers [be it 'white gold' to a brand new air plane]

[Theuhan]

Peter
Ek stem saam, as jy equipment buite hulle speck gebruik en hulle breek, dan is dit jou probleem.

Maar LA Sport is nou al jare betrokke by Voetspore en hulle weet watter soort vrag die manne dra, hoekom het hulle nie die regte vere in gesit nie, hulle is tog die experts, en as my equipment fail nadat ek die experts my speck's gegee het, gaan ek n hulle aanvat.

[Peter Connan]

Theuhan ek vind nou uit dat die "load rating" op hierdie fancy springs blykbaar dieselfde is as die standaard vere. Netjiese manier om jouself te beskerm ne maar omdat daar ander goed ook is wat kan breek kan hulle seker nie anders nie.

Ek glo dus dat Voetspore se ouens nie 'n been het om op te staan nie. Ek glo ook verder dat die enigste rede waarom hulle nog hierdie produk gebruik is omdat hulle dit verniet kry. As dit ek was en ek het geld betaal daarvoor, sou ek hulle beslis nie 'n tweede kans gegee het nie.

Maar ek dink nog steeds dat hierdie 'n algemene probleem is met bladvere. Die goed is ongelooflik kompleks om te ontwerp en vervaardig. As jy na die fotos kyk sal jy sien die breekpunt is amper presies net waar die volgende blad ophou. Mens moet die ekstra blad wat jy insit om die vere sterker te maak, lank maak sodat hy by die shacles verbysteek met 'n "military roll" anders soek jy moeilikheid, en selfs dan kan jy maklik probleme optel. Ek het terloops iewers gehoor (maar hierdie is tweede-of-derdehands) dat die Voetspore ouens voel die beste kar wat hulle nog gebruik het die Patrol wa was, en dat die enigste regte rede dat hulle nou cruisers ry is omdat Nissan hulle nie wou sponsor nie en toe het Toyota ingespring.

Peter