No pics yet, I WISH they were back from welding... :bawling:
Yes, for coilovers. I didn't think the single shock bolt sticking out was strong enough so I drilled it out and replaced it with a much larger hardened bolt that I pressed in. It worked but still looked weak. I am now having a piece of 1/4" plate welded to the arm in a large triangle shape and a pair of tabs welded to that. Makes it a double shear config on the shock bolt instead of a single side load. Doing the same up on the top mount, I'll post pics as soon as I get them back and everybody can give opinions on my design :eek: .


Jeff-

Control arms are finally back...

http://pic9.picturetrail.com/VOL267/.../126472079.jpg
http://pic9.picturetrail.com/VOL267/.../126472077.jpg

They are gonna be a WHOLE lot safer than this was...
http://pic9.picturetrail.com/VOL267/...5/90530040.jpg

Looking good Jeff, I bet you can't wait to get it back on the ground with the new rims! :D

Rich

Thanks Rich! Yes, I am veery anxious but it is gonna be a bit before it touches down again. I'm making changes to the cooling also and updating the master cylinder, adding hydrualic clutch, a lot to do before summer hits.

Jeff-

Finally got my bars back. They are about 34"s long, 1" round bar of 4340. I had to do my machining first, threaded the ends and drilled the holes for the grub screws. Sent them over to Ark. and had them cooked to about 40 Rockwell.

http://pic9.picturetrail.com/VOL267/.../129743984.jpg

Looking good Jeff. Nice floor too!

Jason

Thanks, and thanks!
The floor is just stained concrete with three coats of resin, a very long and painful story. In fact, I could probably write a book about building this new crib but you would get so frustrated by the first chapter that you would throw it away :bawling: .

Jeff-

Those control arms look awesome. I can't wait to see more updates. :D

I didnt think it would be possible to weld to the control arms, I was under the impression that they were cast parts??
Adam

Yep Adam, it was a gamble. I knew if they were cheap castings that they would fall apart as soon as the arc was struck. My welding guy said he would try it anyway and see what happens. The way they flowed together gave some confidence that they will be strong enough.
Most of the guys that make the lowered bus spindles also weld reinforcements around the crown to give them strength, same material as the arms so I had a good idea it would work.
I wouldn't dare repair a broken arm this way but if you look at the pics, my new mount rests on part of the old shock boss, supports some of the load so it's not entirely dependant on the weld.

Started on new upper mounts this week...AND finally got the ok to buy my OWN mig :D .


Jeff-

What one are you going to get?

FWIW, I got the smallest 220 Lincoln and I've been really pleased with it. I made a little cart for it and the bottle using a highly modified shopping cart I found in a ditch and it worked out really well.

Jason

I"ve been using a borrowed 110v Snap-On, what I call a "pocket mig". Very light duty. When I decided to get my own, I was gonna get the biggest, baddest I could afford. Before I dropped the cash, I checked with a buddy who does race car chassis fab and also asked the industrial fab place that has been making and welding my pieces... what they told me was really suprising.
They both said get the smallest 220v rig you can in one of the top brands. Anything bigger will not weld sheet metal well and besides the cost doubling, you will never use the power "No one really needs to weld 1/2" in a single pass".
I've opted for the Millermatic 175.

Jeff-

Looks like my suggestion wasn't too far off then! I don't think you'll want for any more, and the little ones are way more mobile.

Jason

Jeff,

Any news?
Are the control arms already in place?
How do they hold?

I really like to know, because I have similar plans for my split.

Luuk

Everythings in place, been waiting on a new master cylinder. Should have it on the road this weekend and will report back on how it all works.


Jeff-