I have had some mechanical failures recently that caused some damage but thankfully not to me. However, post-crash or impact mechanical failures can occur if we do not follow good maintenance practices.
I thought I would start a thread so we can post some of our experiences with failures, and what we did or what we can do differently going forward to avoid it.
Plus i would rather talk about things that are interesting and not PARITY.
I have a few examples and hope others will add to it.
Lets start with the easy ones.
Front and Rear hub failures:
I have experienced both a front and rear hub failure where the hub cracks and separates.
My best explanation for the failure was in each instance that i had installed extended wheel studs. I have installed them both with a press, or drawing them in with a bolt on the other side. My opinion, in some cases the stud diameter is to large and it introduces micro cracks in the metals that propagate into a separation and failure.
The remedy in my opinion, is to only run the stock studs. If you do run aftermarket studs, i would examine under magnification every time the wheel is off the car.
Rear wheel bearing failures:
I have lost two rear wheel bearings at the track. The first one I heard it coming I could hear it grind and felt it. The second one, was at Watkins Glen, i did not have any warning, (that i detected) and i felt a few high speed wiggles, before it froze up cracked the rear rotor and spun the car.
The cause, two issues, one I left it in service for too long, and I had taken the bearing apart before I installed it to repack with better grease.
The remedy, I now replace the rear bearings once a year over the winter no matter what, and I just use the stock grease, trying to take them apart without damaging the plastic ball bearing retainer is near impossible. Not worth the risk IMO.
Rear Caliper failure:
This is an issue at places like Road America where going off line at the exit means big gators. The pins that hold the caliper to the caliper bracket will back out. There is not much warning before they let loose.
The issue in some cases was that they painted calipers would have a layer of paint under the contact point of the pin and it would work loose.
The remedy, clean the contact surface pin to the bracket, and use red lock tight on them. check them at every tire change, especially if your at a place like Road America.
Front Ball Joint failure:
This is one that I think about, because if you have ever seen someone with a ball joint failure its not pretty.
It generally happens due to age or more likely due to an impact. Its hard to inspect for a ball joint failure and its generally a shear type event where its all good till it goes all bad.
The remedy, on a new build or new car to you. I would put this on the list to replace. I would also replace after any type of decent frontal or wheel impact, you have to use some judgment on this but if the impact is sufficient to bend control arms or if its a direct hit on the wheel, I would be replacing it.
Steering rack failure:
This is my favorite, I have a manual rack. First thing to note is the manual rack is not as durable as the power rack. The Manual rack is light weight, and the housing is aluminum. I had the big one at Watkins Glen in 2015, i damaged the inner tie rod end, and just replaced it. I looked over the rack and did not see any other damage. I did not do this under magnification. I am not sure I would have seen the cracks but there were cracks where the steering gear intersects the shaft and it cracked and failed causing me to hit a tire wall and almost flip the car post impact.
The remedy, Run the power rack as its more durable, or be extra careful to inspect the manual rack after any kind of front tire/front end impact. They are fragile.
I will post more, others are welcome to add to the mix.