• Hey there Guest!
    If you enjoy BCF and find our forum a useful resource, if you appreciate not having ads pop up all over the place and you want to ensure we can stay online - Please consider supporting with an "optional" low-cost annual subscription.
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this UGLY banner)
Tips
Tips

Front end rebuild + A-arm replacement alternative

Timd

Freshman Member
Offline
I see a lot of people forking out their cash on expensive reproduction A-arms, all the while imagining the cringe on the faces while they do. Not that I disagree we doing things right, but I just wanted to shed some light on the fact that there are alternatives. Recently I rebuilt my suspension and like everyone else had worn A-arms. I just wanted to bring some hope to the subject of repairing them.

The fine print: This is not a how-to, it's a "how I did it" and should not be taken as a guide, nor is it garenteed.

Initial stages.
dscf0015_179.jpg

Shot bushings.
dscf0016_120.jpg


The A-arms were drilled out, and new peices were made. Any machine shop would be able to do this for a small cost.
n507304377_72418_7293.jpg


Mounted on the car for test fit, this ensures that alignment will be right.
n507304377_72426_9258.jpg


Tacked in place while on the car.
n507304377_72434_1222.jpg


These were simply MIG welded, with no special heating. No cracks, no warping.
n507304377_72419_7534.jpg


Polyurethane bushings replace the wornout rubber ones. If you buy these and they come with the little tubes of grease, first off: the grease is sticky to say the least. Second, don't be afraid to load it on, they go a long way.
n507304377_72435_1471.jpg


Final stages.
n507304377_72420_7766.jpg


On all fours.
n507304377_72439_2493.jpg


Classic
n507304377_72440_7364.jpg



This cost me VERY little. I won't go into it, because I had some favours, but I'm certain anyone could have it done for significantly less than even one new arm. These arms, if ever worn again would of course be replaced. But they lasted 37 years first time round, so I'm sure I'll get many years from this repair.

I always like seeing things like this when I'm in a bind, so I hope this helps someone.

-Tim
 

ChrisS

Jedi Knight
Offline
Re: Front end rebuild + A-arm replacement alternat

What is the thread size and pitch on the bushings? I've tried to get them made but they are an odd thread.
 

Baz

Yoda
Country flag
Offline
Timd said:
If you buy these and they come with the little tubes of grease, first off: the grease is sticky to say the least.
Yeah, ask me how how long it took me to figure out where that annoying 'squeek' was coming from. Load that stuff on.
 
Offline
I have made those cups. at the time i had the pins in hand, i dont have any kicking around at the moment, but i do have the programs i wrote to make them. i just took a look and did a little back figuring. one cup has a single thread and is the smaller of the two, according to my numbers this one is a 37/64 x 16tpi thread. the second cup is the larger, has two threads. the thread for the pin is a 21/32 x 16. the outher thread (for the cap) is a 47/64 x 14 thread.

as i recall i remember thinking how odd ball these were, but standing in front of the machine and being able to make any thread i care to, and even make them up as i wish. it made little difference to me.

Hope this info is some help


mark
 
OP
Timd

Timd

Freshman Member
Offline
Re: Front end rebuild + A-arm replacement alternat

ChrisS said:
What is the thread size and pitch on the bushings? I've tried to get them made but they are an odd thread.

I am uncertain of the correct thread, as mine were made at a shop. But if you're unsure, I would just take in a new pin and the grease fitting to a shop, they can have it done.
 

racingenglishcars

Darth Vader
Country flag
Offline
Re: Front end rebuild + A-arm replacement alternat

I enjoy seeing this type of work done on these old cars. Not least of which, because I'm very cheap. I would much rather fix it myself than buy something new and replace it. It looks like a very nice and well done job!

I mentioned somewhere else that on the race car, we used to use a 5/8 bolt and just run it through the trunion. Spacers to hold the upright centered.

Where I live now, any welding on the A-arm is not allowed, but I bet they wouldn't find out with a little camouflage covering (undercoat). That in itself seems ridiculous since the parts were welded from the factory.
 
Offline
Re: Front end rebuild + A-arm replacement alternat

actually mine werent welded, they are brazed. ok so it is a form of welding.


mark
 
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
G MGB '71 MGB Front End Rebuild MG 2
Jim_Gruber Bugsy IV Front End Rebuild Spridgets 5
bugedd About to rebuild front end...any tips? Spridgets 5
Tr3aguy Front end rebuild questions>? Triumph 6
M Advice on doing a front end rebuild via kit? Spridgets 4
H TR2/3/3A TR3 Front End Rebuild -- Tips, Advice? Triumph 17
K TR2/3/3A TR3 Front End Rebuild Question Triumph 2
prb51 TR2/3/3A TR3 Front end rebuild Triumph 13
tosoutherncars Front-End Rebuild Begins!! ['78 1500] Spridgets 8
TR4nut TR4/4A TR4 front end rebuild - trunnion bushing question Triumph 3
2 Front End Rebuild Triumph 2
2 Front End Rebuild Triumph 1
L Front end rebuild MG 3
M TR2/3/3A TR3 Front End Rebuild Triumph 3
sparkydave Front end rebuild snag Spridgets 7
A Front End Rebuild Steps Spridgets 8
C front end rebuild Triumph 2
X Front End Alignment Austin Healey 14
craigshealey3000 Front End Shake Austin Healey 31
B Bent frame rails near BE front end Spridgets 2
B 2013 Nissan Frontier front end mystery Other Cars 7
K TR2/3/3A Front wheel bearing adjust and end float?? Triumph 10
Michael Oritt Lube points on BN/BT7 front end Austin Healey 4
K TR2/3/3A Advise on previously botched front end lower fulcrum support bracket. Triumph 5
AUSMHLY BJ8 Front End Squeak Austin Healey 25
AUSMHLY 64 front end too high Austin Healey 14
thibault BJ8 plus 55mph Front end shaking Austin Healey 100
vette Effects of Lowering the Front End Austin Healey 21
G Front end Alignment - Total Toe vs. Individual Toe Austin Healey 3
R Front wheel bearing - end float Austin Healey 40
T For Sale For Sale: Bugeye Front End Spridgets Classified 0
K TR2/3/3A Front end woes... Triumph 18
S Wedge tr8 front end Triumph 0
B TR2/3/3A Front end alignment Triumph 23
mcmillal TR4/4A Front End Vibration Triumph 9
K TR2/3/3A Front end Question.... Triumph 4
M front end alignment Austin Healey 12
T TR4/4A Front end alignment specs for lowered car Triumph 2
Joe Reed MGB Rattle under front end? MG 8
J MGB Project car done; front end clunk noise while braking MG 4
S TR2/3/3A Front end alignment and tire wear Triumph 9
aeronca65t Minor front end work Spridgets 12
RAC68 Calculating Front Hub End-Play Austin Healey 32
aeronca65t front end maintenance Spridgets 5
bugedd Front end rebuilt help Spridgets 6
BlueMax Front End Completed Spridgets 23
K TR2/3/3A Using Moss front end alignment gauge? Triumph 6
K TR2/3/3A Front end reassembly: trunnion spindles and wishbone bushes??? Triumph 10
BillyB62 TR2/3/3A TR3 front end shake Triumph 24
BillyB62 TR2/3/3A TR3 Ball joints & front end Triumph 5

Similar threads

Top