[Aussie-Parnelli]

Yesterday I was driving Brenda's PJ#45, doing 40mph and bang the centre pivot bolt of the Watts link broke exactly the same as PJ #407 except I was going a lot slower. PJ #45 has 19250 miles on it PJ #407 only had less than 5000 miles on it when it broke.

I pulled the diff cover off and removed the grub screw and started drilling a hole for the easy out and the broken stud turned about 1/2 to 1 full turns "which is always good when removing broken studs" but it proved the bolt hadn't bottomed out. When I got the broken piece out it had been cut off when initially installed.

Both these vehicles had the recall upgrade done to them.

I have now replaced the pivot bolt on both cars with a 12.9 socket head cap screw to see if they are any better.

In the new year I intend to replace the 2 pivot arms with adjustable aluminum rods with Heim joints similar to the Fays 2 units.

I run a Fays 2 Watts link on my '66 Shelby and '06 race car and can only say how great I think they are, certainly have never failed me.

Tony
South Australia