DTS snapped

[CliveH]

Well...you know those security posts which stop people parking where they shouldn't...

I drove over one of those (it was down at the time and I was supposed to be parking there!) and the parking spot was on a bit of a slope, and you guessed it, the DTS fouled on the end of the bloody post...!

I didn't think much of it at the time, other than "it's about time I raised the suspension up by 10mm", as the underside of the car is no stranger to speed bumps, etc.

However, the next day I noticed quite a pronounced change in the engine note when under load (bit like after fitting a K&N cone filter to a Saxo), so I jacked it up expecting to find a split in one of the downpipes or something, but the cause is a clean break in the DTS at one side. It seems the disconnected piece is vibrating and carrying the noise...nice if u wanna compete with the boy racers, but not my cuppa tea...

So, my question is : am I likely to do any damage by driving it around until I get round to fitting a replacement? The piece which connects to the transmission is still firmly connected and attached to (most of) the main bar.

[s4-99]

sorry to hear that m8. It must have been a hard knock to cause it to snap? How low is your car by the way?

[DavidT]

Yep, that is some going Clive

I can't see it taking any harm until you replace it, unless you hit something else hard

[derdle]

Since the DTS is an aftermarket addition I can't see that any damage can result...bit like it not being there before you fitted it surely?

I didn't think it was actually attached to the transmission, just merely a support under the gearbox?

Paul

[saf]

Theres a DTS group buy going on if you want to replace it soon.

Need 4 more guys.

Those things are supposed to be tough. Mist have taken a lot of force to crack it.

I too cant see any damage resulting from driving around with it for a while.

[S4TAN]

Bummer Clive! Know what you mean - mine bears a few nice deep gauges and lots of scratches thanks to over-zealous speed bumps and the like ... my rubber bush is starting to perish a bit too ...

[nickb834]

Hi Clive,

Personally I'd get this snapped one tig welded up, by the sounds of it you like dragging your cars guts over bumps alot

I'd keep this tigged one on till it's wrecked otherwise you'll end up with DTS's as a consumable item.

Whadda ya think?

If you're lucky Chris might have a TIG welding set at work!

[grizz]

clive , which part has broken ? is it the main bar ? if so i would do as nickb834 suggests and get it welded up.

[shineydave]

I've got a MIG but no Argon or alloy wire, bummer

[s4woody]

arhh the terms of endearment are so nice on this site...poor clive has been away for a while,breaks his DTS and gets called a bummer all in the same month...

I've got a MIG but no Argon or alloy wire, bummer

[S4TAN]

and gets called a bummer

Ah yes, but .... is he a bummer tied to a tree though ... ?

[shineydave]

..........well it is a VERY dodgy 'tache

[CliveH]

Thanks for the advice (and abuse!) guys

My thinking was that the (OEM) bar that was removed when fitting the DTS was giving some support to the transmission (and the fitting instructions tell you to support it before removing any bolts), but now I come to look at the instructions, the bar doesn't seem to be supporting anything at all, unless the gear box just sits on the OEM bar?

Welding seems to be a good solution though - not being an expert in such matters, how well does aluminium weld up?

[CliveH]

@grizz, this is where it's snapped...

[CliveH]

As regards how easily it snapped, being a parking space, I must have been doing all of 2 or 3mph...

However, once the crunch engaged, there was little space for manoeuvre, other than reverse back out so the nasty little pole did get another pop at the undercarriage... so be warned