Area Representative IanW Posted August 5, 2013 Area Representative Share Posted August 5, 2013 I recently had a bighead failure where the weld holding the loops had broken. Another ReHaBer has had a similar failure with two bigheads. Does anyone know why the welds are failing? Is it because the welds are poorly made? Or are there vibrations and stresses causing them to break? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grubbster Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 Strange isn't it Ian? I had one of the new ones break recently so there does seem to be an issue. I'll drop them an email to let them know, maybe something has changed? The old ones on the old car have been fine for years! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billyboanerges Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 I'm about to re-do my front wings with B/H fasteners. Do you spread the loops apart slightly first so they fit more closely over the wing stays? I had one weld break when attempting this! Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gun Bunny Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 When I went to the bighead factory in Poole to pick mine up, they enquired what I was going to use them for & changed my order to some bigheads with a bigger gap between the loops. They were a perfect fit on my wing stays & did not require any bending / spreading. 316-B32-CABLE TYRAP-15MM (S4C) STAINLESS They recommended the bighead FS Acrylic Adhesise 25ML”A”. The 25ML gives you just enough to do both front wings if you follow the instructions. Olly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grubbster Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 Yes they are the ones I use and the FS acrylic is really good, sets quickly as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative IanW Posted August 6, 2013 Author Area Representative Share Posted August 6, 2013 Is the consensus that the failure is due to the loops being forced out of shape and weakening the weld? Are there any alternatives to the bighead? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grubbster Posted August 13, 2013 Share Posted August 13, 2013 I've not had to bend the wire loops and just noticed another with a broken weld so something has changed These were only fitted the day before Wightblat and have done 2000 miles. The ones on my old car have lasted years, no signs of any problems despite 1000's of miles of abuse. I've emailed the manufacturer to let them know that that a fair proportion from the last batch I bought have broken and to ask if their production method has changed. I'll let you know what they come back with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted August 14, 2013 Share Posted August 14, 2013 Sounds like maybe the setting was wrong and not enough weld penetration ? Or the metal has been embrittled ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z3MCJez Posted August 14, 2013 Share Posted August 14, 2013 My 2008 bigheads failed. So the manufacturing change if that was the solution to the issue was before then. My bigheads were sourced through RiF. Jez Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grubbster Posted August 14, 2013 Share Posted August 14, 2013 They've asked their quality department to take a look, I'll be sending them one that failed when I manage to separate it from the wing at the weekend! Certainly seems to be something amiss, failure rates seem to have gone up significantly in recent weeks/months. I have a few left from the big batch I ordered last year so if they want a couple of those to look at I'll send them some. Hopefully they'll work out what's going wrong and then send me a few replacements to share with those experiencing problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael H Posted August 14, 2013 Share Posted August 14, 2013 You are welcome to the broken bits off my bigheads too.... Cheers Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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