Custom steering arm build, need parts

[grego]

I am planning to make some steering arms out of tubing and I am having a heck of a time finding a tubing spacer with a tapered hole so that a tie rod can be bolted in place.

I am bending and cutting some tubing to make the arms and need the spacer, tubing, bung or whatever you would like to call it, to be welded at the end of the tubing, the tubing will be fishmouthed to the spacer and be given a solid weld.

I have check several places and I have only been able to find the bungs that one would use if they are splitting a wishbone and plug welding the threaded bung into the now two piece radius rod. I can find the frame brackets that have the tapered spacer already welded on but I only need the spacer.

If anyone has a tapered reamer and can make some, I would need four of them. I would buy the reamer but at $70+ and I am sure I would only need it for this part only, it doesn't seem economical.



Thank you for looking and help would be great.

 

[ezzzzzzz]

I've read and re-read your post. Are you making radius arms or steering linkage? You show the frame brackets and steering arms. Are you just showing what the tapered hole would be like? Are these pieces suppose to weld to the tubes such that the tierod end sits at a 90 degree angle to the tubing? I've made similar parts to create Y-type drag links for my rock crawler which meant purchasing the reamer. I'm not sure anyone sells such a part but I'd look to the offroad fab component suppliers such as spider or blue torch fab. Dimensions of what you're looking for would be helpful too.

 

[NHBandit]

What about a straight hole that takes a nut & bolt instead of tapered and use a large Heim joint in place of the tie rod ? Anyway check with the sources weekend racers use. Here's some of my favorites. http://daymotorsports.com/prodindex.php?g=~Suspension~Radius Rods & Hex Tubes~Rod Ends Components~# http://www.aa-mfg.com/ http://www.afcoracing.com/ http://www.afcoracing.com/graphics/accessories/suspension/rod_ends/steering.jpg

 

[yhprum]

What about cutting them out of some used parts?

 

[donthelegend]

I'm not sure what taper you need or how common it is to make custom parts that require something with that taper, but I know in the Jeep/general offroad world, two things are common for steering:

-Heims, as NHBandit recommended.
-Tapered inserts that can be welded or are a press fit into a normal hole. They are made by several small outfits with commonly used tapers (ie. GM 1-ton).

Got a forum for your project with other like-minded people who might be willing to split the cost of the reamer you need?

Good luck with your parts!

 

[383 240z]

How many inches of taper per foot? What TRE's are you using? Do you have a pen and paper drawing of your idea? Keith

 

[grego]

Here is a couple of pictures to help explain.

I am modifying a current steering setup for better angles and it already has tie rod ends so switching to heims is nor really an option but if worse comes to worse....

I have several websites saved that sell the inserts, again, worse case......

I would cut them out of used parts but the parts cost is higher than what I think several pieces should cost.
Plus then you you run into the problem of welding different types of metal together and that can pose a problem if not done right. This is steering, pretty high on the list of items I would not like to fail while vehicle is in motion.

Thank you for all the replys, keep them coming, Hopefully I can get this solved.

 

[383 240z]

These??
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Round-Weld-On-Shock-Eye-Mount-for-Tie-Rod-Shock,17470.html
Or these??
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Weld-On-Shock-Eye-For-Tie-Rod-Shocks-Triangular,7782.html

Keith

 

[grego]

These??
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Round-Weld-On-Shock-Eye-Mount-for-Tie-Rod-Shock,17470.html
Or these??
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Weld-On-Shock-Eye-For-Tie-Rod-Shocks-Triangular,7782.html

Keith

The first one, thanks Keith.

Thank you everyone for your help. I asked for some help and suggestions on another forum and had people getting **** hurt because I asked for help.

I guess that's what I get for asking for help on a forum with like minded people. The age of asking and receiving help seems like it is slowly, or quickly, disappearing.

Consider this closed and answered.

 

[383 240z]

No it'd not, you have to post build pics!!!

 

[NHBandit]

The first one, thanks Keith.

Thank you everyone for your help. I asked for some help and suggestions on another forum and had people getting **** hurt because I asked for help.

I guess that's what I get for asking for help on a forum with like minded people. The age of asking and receiving help seems like it is slowly, or quickly, disappearing.

Consider this closed and answered.

Yeah what the other guy said... We like to see what other guys are building and we love pics. So what's the project that you need this for ?

 

[lilscorpion]

GM trucks is 1.5-inches per foot. Snap-on sells a couple of hand reamer kits to clean tapers but they work just as well cutting new ones, reversing existing ones, and making sleeves.

Clear shot of the part number

This one has been used on the mill and lathe hundreds of times (lost count). Works like any other reamer.

 

[grego]

It will be a bit before I get building them but I will make sure to take pictures when I do.
Thanks for the help.

 

[grego]

Yeah what the other guy said... We like to see what other guys are building and we love pics. So what's the project that you need this for ?

I am planning to drop this one a bit further and I am going to try the flipped uprights/spindles to get it lower. Most of the ones that do it have issues with the steering angles getting messed up and so I figure why fight it when we could make new ones. One option was to make a mock up with the changes, make a mold and then have the parts cast. This option was given to me by my friend who does molten metal fun stuff for a living and since I am always bugging him to see what it would take to cast some parts, after a bunch of drinks, this was thought up. Way way overkill and not even close to practical if even possible but an option no less. Then the race car lover friend said to build them out of tubing, still overkill but more practical and so this is the beginning of the thought process. Might not work or be safe, haven't gotten that far.
This is of course just a matter of killing time until this project get back into the shop and having a front clip/airbag/engine swap done to it. Have to finish the current resident project in the garage first.

 

[NHBandit]

after a bunch of drinks, this was thought up.

Some of the greatest ideas have been hatched after a bunch of drinks... and some of the worst...