If you are still limiting yourself to the stock ball joint and spindle
set up, then making new a-arms really isn't providing all of the
advantages possible. Using a more readily available spindle/ball joint
combination could solve the cost/availability problem with the stock
components, plus open up a lot more braking possibilities. Wouldn't it
be nice to have some bigger calipers and vented rotors that would bolt
right up without machining?
Then what you are looking at is tying the new spindle into the existing
steering. If the tapers for the tie rod ends don't match up or you cant
thread the new tie rod end into the existing tie rod, I can't imagine a
"custom" tie rod being terribly expensive.
If only I had a whole lot of time and money on my hands with nothing
better to do with it...;)
Brian
-----Original Message-----
From: Hall, Phillip [mailto:Phillip.B.Hall@nasa.gov]
Sent: Friday, April 01, 2005 5:19 AM
To: 'Dave Stoll'; Brian St. Jacques; datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net
Subject: RE: Ball joints revisited - is there a factory alternative??
I have thought long and hard about this. It would be easy to make
a-arms, but my only hang up is ball joints with the correct taper for
our spindles.
If we had this, two route open up. First we could build an adaptor to
use the original a-arms, or second, build new a-arms. One of the first
things I am going to try is machining the treads off the a-arm bushing
shaft and the bushing itself, then put in a composite bushing between
the shaft and original bushing. Now, back to ball joints - we need an
upper and lower with the correct taper.
Phil
SEROC
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net
[mailto:owner-datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Dave Stoll
Sent: Thursday, March 31, 2005 5:44 PM
To: Brian St. Jacques; datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: Ball joints revisited - is there a factory alternative??
Thats the best idea I've heard yet....one of the fitter/welders in our
fab shop was making up some lower arms using a mopar lower joint for a
street rod...
daveS
----- Original Message -----
From: "Brian St. Jacques" <brian@varatouch.com>
To: <datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net>
Sent: Thursday, March 31, 2005 11:14 AM
Subject: RE: Ball joints revisited - is there a factory alternative??
> Anyone considered jigging up to make tubular A-arm replacements? Could
> use off the shelf ball joints, throw in some camber/castor
> adjustments, accommodate adjustable coil over shocks, urethane
> bushings, use a different spindle to open up even more braking
options...
>
> Why bother hunting for stock parts when you can make it better? ;)
>
> Brian
> '68 1600, not yet in the land of the living
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