'Incorrect paint job to blame for Heikki's crash' | FerrariChat

'Incorrect paint job to blame for Heikki's crash'

Discussion in 'Other Racing' started by jk0001, May 8, 2008.

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  1. jk0001

    jk0001 F1 Veteran

    Oct 18, 2005
    6,706
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    Jim
  2. 62 250 GTO

    62 250 GTO F1 Veteran

    Jan 9, 2004
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    Neil
    *Rolls eyes* Uh Huh.
     
  3. GuyIncognito

    GuyIncognito Nine Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 30, 2007
    99,807
    You gotta read pretty far into the Big Book of Excuses to find that one...
     
  4. jk0001

    jk0001 F1 Veteran

    Oct 18, 2005
    6,706
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    Jim
    I had a girl friend that had that exact same problem! She needed a special brand of nail polish, she said that the cheap brands make her nails crack and split. Maybe she was on to something
     
  5. racerx3317

    racerx3317 F1 Veteran

    Oct 17, 2004
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    Luis
    *Translation* We made the wheel too weak and it broke..
     
  6. ferraridude615

    ferraridude615 F1 Veteran

    May 4, 2006
    5,836
    Texas
    I didn't know you could translate from F1 BS to English :D
     
  7. racerx3317

    racerx3317 F1 Veteran

    Oct 17, 2004
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    Luis
    It's a talent...;)
     
  8. nopassn

    nopassn Formula 3

    Nov 19, 2003
    1,959
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    Roy
    "In running, the consequent loss of load caused the wheel to fret and distort, leading to its eventual failure."

    You'd think this "fretting and distortion" would have caused a noticeable and severe vibration... One that Heikki sure would/should have felt...
     
  9. kraftwerk

    kraftwerk Two Time F1 World Champ

    May 12, 2007
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    Well I hope they have discovered this as the fault, I would hate to see that to happen again.
     
  10. jm3

    jm3 F1 Rookie

    Oct 3, 2002
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    That text sounds like a translation. I am speculating that clear paint was applied to the "wheel nut" surface on the wheel, allowing the wheel nut to get slightly loose, and therefore allow the wheel to "tilt" inward and rub the brake duct backing plate which cause the inner bead lip to shear off.


    Jay
     
  11. RP

    RP F1 World Champ

    Feb 9, 2005
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    I had a friend that was a female, blamed all three pregancies on her nail polish. None were mine, so she might be correct.
     
  12. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 10, 2002
    29,003
    socal
    Actually totally plausible. The paint can cause failure to acheive lasting torque on the fastners that hold the wheel lip halfs. Then they come loose and parts are under way more stress than if clamped properly then blamo...
     
  13. TopElement

    TopElement Formula 3

    May 14, 2005
    1,540
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    A Montoya
    Pretty sure they're running 1 piece wheels. They wouldn't tolerate the extra weight of modulars!
    The wheel nut mounting surface likely had too much paint. Nut went on tight, the paint softened with heat, wheel became loose. Seems strange that it happened so quickly, although it was in a braking zone.
    Depending on the fit of the wheel drive pins, it could allow some freeplay to make wheel mounting faster/easier. The brakes are also mounted to these drive pins, but are a snug fit. When brakes are applied, the rotor tries to stop and that left front wheel keeps trying to turn counterclockwise. With some freeplay, the wheel could turn the nut a little. Not sure if that corner is regular or reverse threaded.
     
  14. Senna3xWC

    Senna3xWC F1 Rookie

    Nov 30, 2006
    3,152
    NYC
    and a useful one around here... :p
     
  15. icky

    icky Karting

    Jan 2, 2004
    179
    Anchorage, AK
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    Jesse B.
    Well at least McLaren goes far enough to give mechanical excuses, unlike "there was a bump in the track" Ferrari.


    I didn't think it was directly a paint issue... I thought they said it was in fact a defective part, that was then lacquered? I didn't really read too thoroughly as it was pretty common sense that it was a defective wheel.
     

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