Steering arm bending

I've got a set of 40s for spindles on my dropped axle all set up in the garage, when I go to turn them they smack into the axle pretty fast. I've read the solution is to heat them up and bend them but I'd like any info on where and in what direction so I don't mess this up.

-Mike

 

the best info on bending steering arms come right from Pete & Jake's....this is in their catalog. if you can not read it , have them send you a p & j / superbell catalog

 

The issue I had was that the arm would hit the axle. I had to bend them down. Use a torch, heat til bright orange, and bend them down, I used a crescent wrench. Take em to an engine shop and have em magnafluxed for cracks. Wait a while before bending the bottomes straight, Oh and let them cool SLOWLY.

Bend 1



Bend 2 notice I have the other lined up for reference. They need to be the same drop.

 

Used to occasionally bend similar things at work. Always put the hot parts in a bucket of sand to slow the cooling process. Don't know how the metalurgy changes, but it always was important to slowly cool these parts. Perhaps it applies here??

 

It's best to use a rosebud tip when heating. Make sure you spread the heat over the whole arm instead of just a small area. And the arm needs to be good and hot before bending or you'll create cracks. Let it slow air cool. No quenching. As said before, magniflux checking is critical.

 

Thanks a bunch everyone, going to give it a shot tomorrow. Hopefully it all goes well.

 

careful and make sure the sand is dry. heard cat litter works pretty well.

 

Took a bit longer to do than I planned as I had torch issues, also I do believe I made an error and went under the wishbones instead of over for the tie rod, will this be a problem?

 

Huh? you just bent the tie rod mount. how could you go over it? It looks right...

 

My tie rod is under the wishbones..

 

When I bent mine they went under the wishbone also, seems it has already been explained so here are a couple pics of mine if it helps any. Sorry these are the best pics I have on my puter right now if you need more or any certain ange let me know.

 

Nice thread, I need to do this myself. Thanks

 

I bent the arm down first and then turned the mount up.