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Making steering arms
alfasudsprint - 31/8/04 at 02:47 PM

Having had my lada steering arms messed up by another, any reason why I shouldn't make my own???


stephen_gusterson - 31/8/04 at 02:56 PM

need more info i think...


Cita - 31/8/04 at 04:38 PM

If my memory is not letting me down(that would be the first time!)Rorty uses some U channel as steering arms and this worked good for him aldo he used them for off road buggy's though.


alfasudsprint - 31/8/04 at 10:26 PM

Have a ttached a pic of lada upright before cleaning...can see the steering arm there...any ideas...basically should I consider it or would it be risky, better to get old arm right.
the arms a re currently different lengths and heights, and taper the wrong way up. So do-able, by a pro of course, its all cast iron. Rescued attachment HUB1.JPG
Rescued attachment HUB1.JPG


Mark Allanson - 31/8/04 at 10:36 PM

It will be cast steel not iron, very doable. The stresses are not great on the arms, should be equal to the stresses in your biceps, take a look at fiat panda arms. They are bolt on, can be turned upsidedown and (IMSMC) pressed steel


alfasudsprint - 1/9/04 at 08:54 PM

This is a reply I had direct from Rorty(posted with permission!):
I make complete uprights and steering arms from common SHS. Making steering
>arms for cast uprights is a different kettle of fish. I'm not familiar with
>Chevette uprights, but I presume the steering arms are detachable 2-bolt
>affairs?
>Mild steel would do if the proportions are sufficient. A better choice
>would be 4140.
>I have made bolt-on steering arms for cast uprights before using turned
>bosses and 4130 tube. Basically, I bolted the bosses to the upright and
>then filled the gap between them with some tube. I then made a quick jig to
>establish where the tie rod end had to go and mounted the tapered boss on
>the jig. Finally I connected the dots again with more tube. They were
>plenty strong enough and were still in service on the car when I sold it
>some 6-7 years later.
>The arms need to be identical, otherwise the steering will behave
>differently from side to side. Very unsettling!
>Hope that's of some use to you.