Save Our Tubes (De Dion that is).

[a2jack]

Originally Posted by Old smart

Any chloride (not necessarily chlorine) is a "salt" - a halide.

Thank you OS.

[Evilution]

Originally Posted by jwight

Cannot wait to see the Evilution reply to this thread.

not sure why.

On the 450 the Dedion tubes had a smaller hole about 12" back so it wasn't a good idea to cap the tubes as water could build up.

Check yours but I couldn't see any holes so it should be fine to block.

Personally I would lean towards getting some open aluminum caps so the tube can breathe. The natural angel will keep it clear but maybe consider some body seal wax in the tube first.

[a2jack]

Originally Posted by jwight

Cannot wait to see the Evilution reply to this thread.

What were you expecting ?

[jwight]

Originally Posted by a2jack

What were you expecting ?

The more I think about it this seems like a mountain/molehill discussion. Kane usually weighs in and tells us colonials not to worry; however, there may be some merit in sealing the tubes. We need a control vehicle with open tubes and a test vehicle with sealed tubes, both in the same local area. Should only take a year or two to see what the results are.

[Karl Roth]

how about filling them with expanding foam
volunteer mine for a left open control group
karl
perhaps lead for more road hugging weight?

[a2jack]

Originally Posted by jwight

The more I think about it this seems like a mountain/molehill discussion. Kane usually weighs in and tells us colonials not to worry; however, there may be some merit in sealing the tubes. We need a control vehicle with open tubes and a test vehicle with sealed tubes, both in the same local area. Should only take a year or two to see what the results are.

By then all our warranties will be out. I think, as Karl posted, we need to take a quicker action than that.

I can't imagine the cost of replacing a set of rusted DD tubes. BTW I do have a post up at CsC and am waiting for more feed back. They do not, however, use the tons of salt we use here, each winter. A2Jack.

[oldbike]

In my humble opinion, I honestly don't feel that anything needs to be done. All cars have areas that trap road contaminants. The tubes face backwards and run down-hill. Little will enter them. Just one more thing that I choose not to worry about.

[Evilution]

Expanding foam could allow moisture to leach into the tube through capillary action, the foam would also hold the water in place, possibly making the situation worse.

To be honest, I have never heard of a DD tube going bad on the smart and I even jack the car up using mine (don't attempt this unless you have inserts in the end).

The insides are painted and won't become damaged, a single coat of seal will sort it totally for life. It's worth checking the outside of the tube every year for stone chips and corrosion spots so you can treat them and repaint.

[a2jack]

Oldbike Yes that's what I'm hoping for.

Perhaps we can just shoot a hose in there and clean it out once in a while.

The Canadians have two solutions so far. One is a lube /wax coating, the other is to put big chrome extensions in the ends of the DD tubes and out under the bumper . Baddest set of pipes on the block.

[a2jack]

Originally Posted by Evilution

Expanding foam could allow moisture to leach into the tube through capillary action, the foam would also hold the water in place, possibly making the situation worse.

To be honest, I have never heard of a DD tube going bad on the smart and I even jack the car up using mine (don't attempt this unless you have inserts in the end).

The insides are painted and won't become damaged, a single coat of seal will sort it totally for life. It's worth checking the outside of the tube every year for stone chips and corrosion spots so you can treat them and repaint.

Evo, Thanks for the reply. We here in Michigan are sitting on top of vast salt mines. (Mostly owned by Morton Salt). The mid-west roads are covered with salt every winter, and the cars are just eaten away. Do you guys use salt on your roads too? (BTW. I wondered how you jacked up the DD tube )

A2Jack