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Oval tube
maurof74 - 9/10/21 at 03:35 AM

Hello,

Does anyone knows where to source the oval tube used, for instance, in the MK wishbones? It's about 32x16x2 mm

Thanks

hellbent345 - 9/10/21 at 09:04 AM

https://www.metals4u.co.uk/materials/mild-steel/mild-steel-tube/oval-tube/9127-p

Mr Whippy - 9/10/21 at 09:40 AM

1.5mm wall thickness seems too thin. 2 - 3mm would be more what I'd go for. I'm not sure what manufacturers are using?

Sanzomat - 9/10/21 at 12:17 PM

quote:
Originally posted by hellbent345
https://www.metals4u.co.uk/materials/mild-steel/mild-steel-tube/oval-tube/9127-p

If that's what the ones on the MK Indy use then it explains why they bend so easily! I put MK Indy classic front wishbones on my Locost (only 460kg total) and the one that takes all the load on mostly clockwise tracks (nearside) has a permanent slight bend already after just two trackdays. I reckon this might have more to do with how far inboard from the bottom ball joint the coilover sits but the oval tube, admittedly in its weak axis, doesn't seem very strong.

hellbent345 - 9/10/21 at 02:43 PM

I should say that I just showed a supply similar to the dimensions that were noted, OP what are you planning on using this for? I’ve used this for my headlight mounts.

This is ERW (I think most oval is..?) and as mentioned is a bit thinner than normally used for locost/Haynes dimensions (2-3mm 19/25mm OD CDS).

If you know your loads and can calculate all forces and directions, it’s possible the larger oval dimension could be sufficient to add enough strength to be ok with less wall thickness, but this is obviously entirely at your own risk.

maurof74 - 11/10/21 at 12:41 PM

It is to repair a whishbone bent in a crush. I measured the tube by cutting a section and it is roughly 32x16x2.
Before the crush I didn't have any problem with these wishbones (the car is about 560 kg)

maurof74 - 11/10/21 at 12:41 PM

It is to repair a whishbone bent in a crush. I measured the tube by cutting a section and it is roughly 32x16x2.
Before the crush I didn't have any problem with these wishbones (the car is about 560 kg)

maurof74 - 11/10/21 at 12:48 PM

A higher thickness is not a big problem as the additional weight is not so huge... Concerning the external dimension I can accept few millimeters of difference... But I don't want a size/tickness combination that reduces the moments of inertia.
So far I was not able to find a supplier... and in MK they say that kind of tube is no more available

Neville Jones - 21/1/22 at 12:24 PM

Try searching for "flat sided oval tube'

Originally made for shopping trolleys.