What do you folks make of this...mig'd control arm

[BillJ]

I'm unsure how I feel about all of your conservative aproaches to this.

The conservative approach I mentioned isn't mine. It is VOSA's. My opinion makes no difference one way or the other if the work won't pass an MOT.

Of course vehicles are generally of welded construction.

Your work includes an element of design to ensure that the finished product is up to the job, including appropriate welds in appropriate places. Do your sidecars have to be approved before they are used on the road?

I expect the MOT rules are there to catch potentially unsafe repairs by people who don't know enough to carry them out safely, without the tester having to go into the detail of the design of the vehicle, what should and shouldn't be heat-treated, etc.

 

[AgentWayward]

I think you missed my point.

 

[BillJ]

I think you missed my point.

Sounds like I did. Can you clarify?

 

[langy]

The conservative approach I mentioned isn't mine. It is VOSA's. My opinion makes no difference one way or the other if the work won't pass an MOT.

Of course vehicles are generally of welded construction.

Your work includes an element of design to ensure that the finished product is up to the job, including appropriate welds in appropriate places. Do your sidecars have to be approved before they are used on the road?

I expect the MOT rules are there to catch potentially unsafe repairs by people who don't know enough to carry them out safely, without the tester having to go into the detail of the design of the vehicle, what should and shouldn't be heat-treated, etc.

The problem is the people that make up the guidlines have probably never picked up a welder

 

[the snooper]

im of the opinion that if its done correctly then there is no issue, there are plenty of welded components in our lives that endure far more stress then that control arm, take components from fair ground rides and all manner of heavy machinery.

in the end its down to is the component material suitable for the type of welding that has been used and is the weld up to the job, if yes then it will be fine.
after all a lot of track control arms bolt up to a welded crossmember

 

[wheresmejumper]

but he's cutting and rewelding what is more than likely a cast iron steering knuckle!probably with a mig to boot
i dont know why that arm is shown

 

[the snooper]

but he's cutting and rewelding what is more than likely a cast iron steering knuckle!probably with a mig to boot
i dont know why that arm is shown

the op only states its an extended arm, not part of a cast arm grafted onto a pressed a steel arm

 

[BrokenBiker]

if that job was mine to extend that arm once I had welded it and knew it was strong enough I would just grind the welds flush and paint it...who would know it had been welded

 

[wheresmejumper]

the op only states its an extended arm, not part of a cast arm grafted onto a pressed a steel arm

I wanted to experiment with knuckles to try to achieve a little more lock

i know the mod he is doing.it gets done a lot
he his cutting a section off the cast steering knuckle,shortening it to give extra lock.

 

[the snooper]

yes i see he put that but i think he means moving the knuckle joint, you can see in the picture the arm is pressed steel and can also see that he has let in an inch piece of steel into the pressed section of steel no actual welding to the cast ball joint,
if you did weld the actual joint the heat would destroy it

 

[wheresmejumper]

this is what he's talking about doing

 

[the snooper]

those pictures you have put up are the stub axles with the track rod end mounting, not track control arms as shown / welded in the first picture

 

[wheresmejumper]

its dragging on a bit now,but he said 'any thoughts on the quality/legality of this sort of mod?pic

I am in need of some modified steering knuckles and my question would be is it ever acceptable to have welded mods on critical suspension components?


im saying you cant compare the welds in the picture he posted,to what he wants to actually do.

the welds i posted i would call a steering knuckle

 

[the snooper]

its dragging on a bit now

agreed
and we are actually on different topics i was only refering to the arm in the first post not the rest of the topic

 

[wheresmejumper]

hmmmm

 

[the snooper]

hmmmm

and i also agree with you that welding cast parts like those you posted isnt a good idea

 

[Browser]

I'd err on the side of fabricating a pair of uprights with shorter steering arms if you want to go down that route. Is there not a quick rack kit available that would achive the same end objective?

 

[brightspark]

I'd err on the side of fabricating a pair of uprights with shorter steering arms if you want to go down that route. Is there not a quick rack kit available that would achive the same end objective?

a quick rack would shorten the amount of turns of the steering wheel to reach full lock .shortening the arms would also do the same but give further steering lock. i used to shorten them on the stock car i had but wouldnt fancy doing it on a road car. shortening them puts extra strain on the rack and the joints when hitting bumps

 

[BrokenBiker]

someone had put a quick rack on the fiesta I had. not sure why, as it was otherwise a totally standard car until I got my hands on it.

 

[secretsmoker]

Yikes, I had no idea this thread was still active! Apologies if I wasn't terribly clear at the outset, the main focus of the post was purely to get opinions from more experienced folk on the control arm pic from the guy's S13 on DW.

The side issue which I probably shouldn't have just snuck in at the end of the post was regarding the knuckles. Firstly, I am not going to be modifying anything as previously stated, especially not with mig on cast; The suspension on my car is completely standard! I don't even like the idea of adding rack spacers (a very, very common mod) for fear of smashing the pinion. Generally speaking I am rather cautious with any sort of mods whilst the car is roadgoing.

There aren't many bolt on mods available for MX5s in this department as generally speaking they are not powerful enough for extra steering angle to be of use.

Of course, if the reason for the mods are to go "drifting", then please throw away your welder and go do somethig less laughable instead. You are embarrassing yourself.

Of course, I will embarrass myself howsoever I please and have a lot of fun doing it, that is really none of your concern. People will perceive the sport however they will, but pomposity isn't something I will suffer gladly.

The main reason I (and most other) folk participate in drifting is purely for the cheap thrills. Some people like to go fast, others like to go sideways. Think what you like but for many it is the cheapest and most accessible form of casual motorsport (track opportunities from £30 per day). Don't knock it unless you've tried it is all i'm saying.