Any suggestions?
I am thinking all I need to do is use some appropriate sized tubing, weld a nut in the end, and screw in a spherical bearing. What am I oversimplifying?
Any suggestions on lightweight tubing? Sources?
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Dec. 17, 2011 10:45 a.m. SVreX SuperDork
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Dec. 17, 2011 10:50 a.m. novaderrik Dork
the words "lightweight" and "steering parts" just don't belong in the same sentence. steering, suspension, and brakes are 3 places where a little overkill is a good thing.
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Dec. 17, 2011 10:55 a.m. Woody SuperDork
I forget what they're called, but instead of welding a nut on the end of the tube, I bought some threaded inserts with a shoulder on them. You insert them into the tube and then weld around the shoulder. It's a much stronger way to go. I'm pretty sure that I got them either from Grainger or McMaster Carr. You can also get them with left handed threads.
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Dec. 17, 2011 11:03 a.m. oldtin Dork
fire up the google fu for weldable tube ends. Summit, Jegs, Speedway all carry them or some of the locost people have used 7/8" tubing with 1/4" walls - threads to 5/8" without having to drill it out.
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Dec. 17, 2011 11:07 a.m. SVreX SuperDork
novaderrik wrote:
the words "lightweight" and "steering parts" just don't belong in the same sentence. steering, suspension, and brakes are 3 places where a little overkill is a good thing.
Ever held an F-1 steering linkage component?
I didn't say E36 M3ty and weak, I said lightweight.
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Dec. 17, 2011 11:08 a.m. SVreX SuperDork
oldtin wrote:
weldable tube ends
Sometimes I just need the right terminology.
What about tubing?
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Dec. 17, 2011 11:12 a.m. oldtin Dork
more of the googles if you want swaged tubing - .095 thickness is where I'd be thinking. How heavy of stuff are you dealing with?
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Dec. 17, 2011 11:36 a.m. Woody SuperDork
oldtin wrote:
fire up the google fu for weldable tube ends. Summit, Jegs, Speedway all carry them or some of the locost people have used 7/8" tubing with 1/4" walls - threads to 5/8" without having to drill it out.
Yup, those.
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Dec. 17, 2011 11:45 a.m. Knurled Dork
Or you just buy pre-threaded tube of the correct length. Usually runs $10-25 a tube, no worries about your quality of weld (or lack thereof), and it's specifically made for steering and suspension members.
Have Speedway send you a catalog. Much of it is fabricator porn, the rest of it is circle track and hotrod porn. And the prices are MUCH lower than, say, Pegasus.
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Dec. 17, 2011 12:05 p.m. DILYSI Dave SuperDork
There are also swaged tube linkages from the circle track world. http://www.qa1.net/qa1_motorsports/circle-track/rod-end-accessories/swaged-tubes-1...
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Dec. 17, 2011 1:15 p.m. erohslc HalfDork
If you are going to wait for something to be shipped, just order it made to size from Coleman, etc.
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Dec. 17, 2011 4:46 p.m. 44Dwarf Dork
Use swaged tubes or if you real like to weld get weld nuts from A&A A&A sells all sorts of cool brackets and other stuff cheaper then i can make it.
http://www.aa-mfg.com/pdshop/shop/search.aspx?page=3&search=weld+nuts&sfie...
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Dec. 17, 2011 6:14 p.m. Teh E36 M3 Dork
erohslc wrote:
If you are going to wait for something to be shipped, just order it made to size from Coleman, etc.
Link?
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Dec. 17, 2011 6:56 p.m. ncjay Reader
I have a selection of left and right hand thread taps. Combine those with a few drill bits and some steel or aluminum tubing of the right size and presto, I can make steering links any length. No welding necessary.
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Dec. 17, 2011 7:01 p.m. erohslc HalfDork
Here's the link to trailing arms, several different types to choose from in steel and aluminum:
http://www.colemanracing.com/Chassis-Suspension-C14.aspxThese are 'cost effective':
http://www.colemanracing.com/Trailing-Arm-Steel-P4052.aspxI like these:
http://www.colemanracing.com/Trailing-Arm-Swedged-Steel-P4054.aspxNFI to Coleman, lot's of vendors out there.
Edit: For example, Southwest Speed:
http://www.southwestspeed.com/?sec=view_menu&cat=Suspension&sub=Tubes-Swed....Carter
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Dec. 17, 2011 7:59 p.m. Giant Purple Snorklewacker SuperDork
What everyone here said. I got mine from speedway. Easy-peasy to weld up. Also - look around on their site a little - they have a nice setup for adjustable bump steer correction that goes nicely with an outer tie rod that happens to be a rod end. I'll try to dig up a link when I'm not posting from one of these infernal smartphones.
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Dec. 17, 2011 8:38 p.m. SVreX SuperDork
44Dwarf wrote:
Use sewage tubes ...
I'm hoping you meant swaged!
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Dec. 17, 2011 9:17 p.m. 44Dwarf Dork
SVreX wrote:
44Dwarf wrote:
Use sewage tubes ...
I'm hoping you meant swaged!
dam spell check
