Is it safe to use parts from a car that has been burned in a fire

[Benson]

I remember in the past that some folks say that wheels, spindles and frames, for instance, that had been burned in a fire were not tempered any more and as such are not as strong after the fire.


Does anyone have any scientific information on this subject?

[Will N]

Wheels and frames and spindles were never hardened and tempered to begin with. Things like gears and bearing races were hardened. The only thing I'd worry about would be if the metal had warped from the heat. If you can determine that the metal is not warped and it was a part that wasn't hardened, I would use it if it cleaned up ok.

[Kurt in NJ]

a original spindle has a brinell hardness test mark, so do front axles, steering arms, pitman arms —— there’s a ground smooth spot with a small indentation from the test on every part— they were heat treated —-
it depends on how hot a fire, was all the paint burned off

[JoeCB]

Originally Posted by Kurt in NJ

a original spindle has a brinell hardness test mark, so do front axles, steering arms, pitman arms —— there’s a ground smooth spot with a small indentation from the test on every part— they were heat treated —-
it depends on how hot a fire, was all the paint burned off

Unless someone can show a heat treat spec, I doubt that these forged parts were post process heat treated. My expierence in manufacturing would suggest that the rough forgings were hardness tested to ensure that they were not too hard (think brittle) and most important from a manufacturing perspective not so hard as to ruin the cutting tools.

Joe B

[Benson]

My concern is with all of the wildfires like a year ago 800 or more homes were burned just Northwest of Denver. There are more parts appearing for sale which might have been or were involved in these fires.

[Pete]

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It all comes down to whether you can be satisfied with oats that have been through the horse.

[johnneilson]

Originally Posted by Pete

It all comes down to whether you can be satisfied with oats that have been through the horse.

Once or twice?

J

[nkaminar]

I would not use the wood parts or seat upholstery.