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."
