Chrome tail shafts, diffs and autos regulations vic roads

[snappyxb]

Hi all, just wondering if anyone can tell me what the registration rules are on chrome tail shafts, diffs and gearboxs, iv been told they wont pass a RWC because of the technique used in chroming them. Iv been told it weakens the steel. Can anyone shed light on this, thanks in advance,

[cs123]

Hydrogen Embrittlement

[hawke]

Chrome and Nickle plating can introducee Hydrogen into the parent metal and cause some brittleness to that parent metal. However, it can be removed if the parts are baked immediatly after plating. Suspension bits should never be chomed, only nickle plated.

A competent plater should be able to advise the correct procedure.

For the bits you are talking about, there should be no problem, but I am unaware of what the experts at the RTA would rule on.

[svo supporter]

Diff backing plate (if applicable) and trans pan (if applicable) shouldn't be a problem.

Tailshaft. See if a later Falcon (EA???? onwards fit.) They're alloy, which will polish up like chrome, with some elbow grease. Saves that side of the discussion.

Otherwise if it's the whole diff, gearbox/ tailshaft assembley. I doubt you'll get it passed with it chromed

[madmelon]

Plating of any softer metal with a harder one decreases the fatigue strength of the parent metal. This is due to the fact that the harder, plated material is more likely to fracture at a crystal structure (microscopic) level and introduce stress risers (sharp corners, like the end of a crack) to the surface of the parent metal. When this occurs, fatigue failure of the component is not far away.

Plating with softer materials tends not to introduce this problem. eg galvanizing (zinc)

[madmelon]

...if you want something to look like chrome get it polished then clear coat it or something. They still have to polish to chrome plate so it's not as though any more work is being done.

[kendallRTV]

This re mind's me of build I once read about where the guy spent hours polishing his transmission and when he installed it under his nice new black under carriage, the trains looked just black because it just reflected the under body colour. :