Register now to get rid of these ads!

Spacing steering arms

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Toqwik, Mar 6, 2004.

  1. Toqwik
    Joined: Feb 1, 2003
    Posts: 1,311

    Toqwik
    Member

    My drivers side steering arm needs moved about 1/8 inch, it is rubbing the tie rod on the edge of the rim. Can I just shim the steering arm out, instead of heating and bending the steering arm? they are 50 chevy spindles. If heating and bending is the answer, what is the proper way to do it so they maintain their strength? Thanks....To
     
  2. Why not put a 1/4" spacer behind the wheel on both sides and leave the steering arms alone? You can get them at any parts house cheep.
    The Wizzard
     
  3. old beet
    Joined: Sep 25, 2002
    Posts: 5,750

    old beet
    Member

    On my F-1 I heated the arms several times. (dropped axle) Let them cool slowly, never had a problem.........OLDBEET
     
  4. Toqwik
    Joined: Feb 1, 2003
    Posts: 1,311

    Toqwik
    Member

    Was looking for a cheap way out, rather than buying longer studs and spacers. Seemed alot easier to space two bolt than replace all studs. To
     
  5. Toqwik
    Joined: Feb 1, 2003
    Posts: 1,311

    Toqwik
    Member

  6. Rocknrod
    Joined: Jan 2, 2003
    Posts: 648

    Rocknrod
    Member
    from NC, USA

    I wonder...

    Could you put a shorter tierod on one side and still have a car that goes straight when the wheels straight?

    It'd give you an akerman affect in one direction if I'm still awake and thinking correctly [​IMG]

     
  7. metalshapes
    Joined: Nov 18, 2002
    Posts: 11,130

    metalshapes
    Member

    [ QUOTE ]
    Was looking for a cheap way out

    [/ QUOTE ]

    That is not the first thing I think of, when I'm working on Brakes, Steering and Suspension...
     
  8. Rocknrod
    Joined: Jan 2, 2003
    Posts: 648

    Rocknrod
    Member
    from NC, USA

    Frugal?

    Cost challanged?

    I'm all for safe... but safe doesnt always mean it has to be expensive... [​IMG]
     
  9. metalshapes
    Joined: Nov 18, 2002
    Posts: 11,130

    metalshapes
    Member

    Rocknrod, you are right.
    Cost is just not the first thing I will look at...
     
  10. SimonSez
    Joined: Jul 1, 2001
    Posts: 1,666

    SimonSez
    Member

    My 2 cents is that spacing the steering arms off the spindle would be fine from a strength point of view as long as you use grade 8 bolts.

    It will change the ackerman angle, so make sure to space both sides the same, and only as much as is needed.

    Test it out doing some low speed tight turns on some smooth pavement and see how much the front wheels scrub. There is a bit of leeway with Ackerman angle and there are plenty of factory cars that scrub the front tyres pretty badly.
     
  11. Morrisman
    Joined: Dec 9, 2003
    Posts: 1,602

    Morrisman
    Member
    from England

    Most factory cars have Ackerman dimensions all over the place. I wouldn't sweat too much about getting it critical, unless you are into roundy roundy racing.
     

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.