I just bought a pair of these: http://www.manciniracing.com/arespbrset.html These are the brackets that the leaf spring shackles hang from. I have to admit I'm a little disappointed in the quality. This is the picture from the website.



And this is what I received:



In the website's picture I can see the tube isn't welded 360°, and it doesn't really have to be. The vertical load is supported by the tube extending through the bracket; the weld is just there to hold it in place. Still, I was expecting more coverage than the ~75° I got. I actually go around corners in this car, and I'd like to be more comfortable this bracket isn't going to flex under lateral loads. Also, the picture shows them as painted. How hard would it have been to go just a little further and make the parts as advertised?

I know this isn't a huge deal, and it's not worth raising hell and demanding a refund. These will probably work just fine for most people, and I'm more than capable of breaking out a can of Krylon (after I fire up the MIG welder to satisfy my own sense of over-engineering). I just expected a little more for $65 a pair.

As one of my friends said when I complained about this: "Elderly man disappointed with quality of online product but not enough to return it; will fix problem himself for the price of griping to anyone who will listen. More at 11."

_________________
Somehow I ended up owning three 1964 slant six A-bodies. I race one of them.
Escape Velocity Racing

The older I get, the more this describes my attitude towards the world in general. Thanks for the product review and warning.

_________________
Casually looking for a Clifford hyperpak intake for cheap.

The funny part is that I'm only 30. I'm gonna be insufferable in a couple more decades.

_________________
Somehow I ended up owning three 1964 slant six A-bodies. I race one of them.
Escape Velocity Racing

Buy yourself a set of sliders from Summit....same price....better everything.

_________________
Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

I'm only 38 and poeple already call me an old bastard.

_________________
Casually looking for a Clifford hyperpak intake for cheap.

Mancini Racing should have been your 1st tip off to a problem!
I'd send them back and make your own!

_________________
1964 Dart GT

That looks most likely stronger than the original to me, especially if that is seamless tubing. I would run it, or maybe for extra super insurance put a short bead of weld on the other side of the tube from the current bead.

Lou

_________________
Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

If for some reason you keep them, definitely re-weld! That looks like a Crap Job in the picture! (and I am Far From A Professional Welder!)

_________________
1964 Dart GT

I agree on the tubing quality. The tubing on both original mounts is split wide open at the seam, while the Mancini ones are seamless.

The actual weld quality looks fine to me, it's just lacking in quantity. The traverse speed might've been a little fast, but the penetration looks good. I'm going to continue the existing bead on the inside of the bracket as far around the tube circumference as I can.

_________________
Somehow I ended up owning three 1964 slant six A-bodies. I race one of them.
Escape Velocity Racing

Looks like a Tig weld. I'd bet it's pretty tough.

_________________
Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

It probably is strong enough, but for $65 they could have spent another 10 seconds on each side and everyone would have been much happier!

_________________
2 Mopars come with Spark plug tubes. One is a world class, racing machine. The other is a 426 CI. boat anchor!

12.70 @ 104.6

My thoughts exactly.

_________________
Somehow I ended up owning three 1964 slant six A-bodies. I race one of them.
Escape Velocity Racing