Steel fatigue in dropouts?

[littledjahn]

The rear dropouts on my '86 Raleigh Grand Prix were out of alignment, so I took it to the shop where we used Park alignment tools to get them all squared again. Within 2 miles of riding, things had gone off-center again. Has the steel fatigued? Is it toast?

[Falanx]

Nope. If anything, straightening should have work hardened them more and strengthened them further.
However, you keep having to straighten them, they *will* fatigue.