We've got new uprights on the way for our vintage LeGrand. They're being machined out of billet aluminum by Doug Learned Sr. and Doug Learned Jr. at Fast Forward Racing Components. The lathe work is already complete, and the pieces will be machined further on a four-axis mill this week.
We're hoping to have the car back together for …
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Nashco
UberDork
7/31/09 11:34 p.m.
I guess I missed it....what was wrong with the old uprights?
The outer axles/cvs were from a Honda Z600 with a 25mm axle shaft diameter and a 30mm OD on the bearing. The hub design was more appropriate for a lawn mower than a race car. So, we wanted to upgrade to stronger/larger stuff---not enough meat on the upright to machine it out for larger bearings. It's getting watercooled VW bearings/cvs.
Some racers have been able to machine them out without having issues with 33 year old magnesium--I decided not to risk it--and that would also mean that future LeGrand restorers would have a replacement piece 'off the shelf' from Fast Forward.
watercooled VW bearings/cvs ?
Yep. It already has the VW 90mm inner CVs, now it will have outers/bearings/hubs to match.