P80 Sachs quick strut mount - double failure AUG 2020

Post by **abscate** » 01 Sep 2020, 18:36

Just to document this.

working in a project car, new quick struts installed JAN 2019

Car sat from JAN 2020 to AUG 2020 due to engine work.

After completion, right front spring suddenly fractured and took out a brand new tire. The initial failure released the spring tension which induced a clean new fracture in the spring up top - part of this shot sideways into the tire and opened the sidewall.

Two days later, the left front spring also fractured with no further damage.

Both failures show evidence of crack, corrosion intrusion, and final fracture shear. Both shear faces are heavily rusted, despite being in a dry envoronment.

Mileage on struts estimated 5000 miles.

Post by **ZionXIX** » 01 Sep 2020, 21:23

How does that even happen? I've been thinking of buying the quickstruts from FCP. Should I avoid those?

Post by **scot850** » 01 Sep 2020, 21:37

Wow! I would certainly be asking questions of the supplier! This is a dangerous product and may be faulty manufacture.

Good luck resolving it.

Neil.

Post by **matthew1** » 01 Sep 2020, 23:47

Yea, that crosses the line from crap manufacturer to simply dangerous. Sorry that happened to you, Steve.

Post by **abscate** » 02 Sep 2020, 01:45

It’s a small sample so we cannot draw conclusions Based on this. Discussions ongoing

Post by **850 LPT** » 02 Sep 2020, 07:21

I am quite shocked that this happened. As you probably know, I was the one who installed these. The overheating problem may have been a blessing in disguise. I don't want to imagine what could have happened to Mark's daughter if this happened while she was on the road.

Post by **cn90** » 02 Sep 2020, 07:21

Most reviews of Quick Struts on FCP website are good.

Post by **abscate** » 02 Sep 2020, 09:27

I’m very happy these were driveway and low speed incidents, although Ms VERMONT is a cool headed and two hand on the wheel driver.

Post by **scot850** » 02 Sep 2020, 10:08

I am wary of FCP Euros positive product reviews. I gave a couple of negative reviews for crap products without being insulting and they were never included on the products. So apart from their pricing having gone way up over the last couple of years, they are mostly no longer competitive for those of us North of the 49th. Warranty is great, but rather have a safe product and not have to use the warranty!

Neil.

Post by **Sveedy** » 02 Sep 2020, 10:17

Based on my somewhat limited experience with forging, I'd say that those springs were not tempered correctly in the factory.