Phil99vette

iTrader: (11)

I have a set of control arms that are about 2" too narrow on both sides. Can I use a mild steel square tube to widen the front? My plan is to cut the A-arm where both tubes come together and just add a 2" boxed steel piece to widen them. The control arm tubes are chromoly.
Phil

boondiggys

iTrader: (165)

i dont really follow what the goal is here, and why are you trying to do it?

Keith

hot rodders used to and still do weld a step in their lower control arms to lower the car where spindles are not readily available. I don't see it being a big deal.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...ntrol+arm+weld
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...ntrol+arm+weld

wkdivr

iTrader: (8)

Think of a few things, here. It's not a good idea to use mild steel, and chrome moly together. You might experience embrittlement, or cracking. Also, the only accepted way to do a splice in tubing is to get a heavy wall piece machined to the id of the tubes to be spliced. Drill 2 holes big enough to do a plug weld in 2 sides of the outer tube (4 holes needed altogether), slip the machined piece into the outer tubes approx 2" on either side. Weld the beveled joint, and the plug welds. Please don't try to just butt weld a splice in this kind of situation. The "old time hot rodders trick" sounds cool, but a LOT of those cars were like treading on thin ice with hot shoes!