Keystone Crash Test

Comment

Comment by Wade Ebert on February 17, 2010 at 1:25pm

Yup. Heck everything forward of the cowl is likely to be effected in "crash testing" such as was contracted by Keystone. In a 35 mph collision the bumper bar is (likely) smashed flat, no matter how its made or what it is made of! Still just because it is flat does not mean it performed the same as an OE would have.

Keystone is pretty crafty with their release but - so far - did not fool anyone I've spoken with about the issue. They released the test for a vehicle that was one year off of the part that Toby Chess cut. Why I wonder? If they are buying a car and want to test the very same part, why not give that a shot? So close…

Let's look at lower speeds – say yes in the 17 mph or so – just up to threshold intertia that can create the “delta V” for airbag deploys and let's look at low speed collateral damage.

And let's have mandatory testing of every part for every car - or let's call the parts what they are: an unknown quantity in a life or death physics experiment. Solve for "x".

Comment by Bob Smith on February 17, 2010 at 11:00am

Passing this along.
There are many more pieces of this puzzle than one test and one pass or fail attempt. Has the part passed all of the other tests that will be required for it to meet the performance characteristics long-term? Metallurgical testing, cyclical corrosion, corrosion protection, Rockwell hardness, tinsel strength, heat, humidity and many others. If the bar was over strengthened in it's creation it will pass the test BUT may not allow the airbag to trigger until it is too late. There can also be a failure of a HSS rail assembly that deforms prematurely due to the added stiffness of the reinforcement.
The first question is relative to the testing and what was done. If MGA put their name on it, it would seem that ALL aspects were done. They are the foremost lab for testing of this type in the Midwest if not the country. But the question should be asked, were all the tests associated with FMVSS 208 completed on the part PRIOR to the impact or dynamic test? The second question is how were the metallurgical properties for the part determined? Are the lab results available for public scrutiny?
It isn't just the most dramatic test that proves the part is good, it is all of the testing combined. Will the bumper system react properly in a low speed impact? Will the bumper system react in a way that the safety systems will work as designed? Will a "stronger" part cause more damage at low speed? How long will the part last under normal working conditions (EDP)?
One single test doesn't prove enough to make a definative statement about the part, only one part of the part testing process.

Comment by Bill Fowler on February 16, 2010 at 5:31pm

Don't be so hard on yourself, Wade. Mispeled wurds can hapen to anebody.

Comment by Wade Ebert on February 16, 2010 at 2:44pm

Dawing? Seriously? "Drawing"

Comment by Wade Ebert on February 16, 2010 at 2:43pm

Dawing a very solid line from the imitation parts mess to the NHTSA's - non-regulation of these parts is the Federal Government's GAO examination report of the imitation parts from years ago that said in essence: "Ummm geez! We don't know what's worse - the fact that there's no recall mechanism in place for these parts or; that they are not even close to their OE counterparts. We're just sayin', somebody dropped the ball over here. Anyone? Helloooo?"

Comment by Kristen R. Felder on February 16, 2010 at 2:00pm

Dang it Bill I knew my color didn't match.... That's the last time I listen to you :-)

I'm not sure about issuing a press release before the test results and report from the lab is completed and available for us all to review.

I'm asking for more information and offering a CH TV broadcast interview. I'll keep ya' posted. Hopefully we'll get Terry to explain and show the test. It doesn't hurt to ask.

Comment by Bill Fowler on February 16, 2010 at 8:16am

This is akin to me having a customer complain that the color we sprayed on his car doesn't match. I select a committee comprised of my employees to study the color match and determine it is just fine.....end of problem.
Why didn't NHTSA let Toyota test their own cars, too? They sure wouldn't be having the problems they are today.

Comment by Christopher Sheehy on February 16, 2010 at 7:13am

WOW - the FMVSS Standard 208 is a 101 page document, I can't wait to see the published report from Keystone on their findings!

You can take a look at what's included in the standards here http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2008/octqtr/pdf/49cfr571.208.pdf!

Call me skeptical, but I find it incredibly hard to believe that this was done.

Keystone - why didn't you mention meeting the standards of FMVSS 581 - titled Bumper Systems. I'm no engineer, but I was expecting a bumper would want to pass this type of thing.

Comment by Christopher Sheehy on February 16, 2010 at 6:34am

The study is all talk at this point - nothing released.

But does anybody remember the bumper system study GM did a few years ago?

http://www.goodwrench.com/_res/pdf/Bumper_System_Test_Analysis_Repo...

It's as compelling as ever...

Personally, I think the IIHS should conduct these studies under the governance of the NHTSA and publish an online online.

Keystone conducting their own tests - come on -

Comment by Kristen R. Felder on February 15, 2010 at 6:12pm

Is there a link to the test results? THANKS!