Thread: my suspension!!

hmong, I am not only worried about your welding skills, I am also worried that you do not have the proper idea behind fortification............Welding is only 1/4 of the work. Getting the proper bracing to prevent complete failure is the KEY!!!!!

I do not think you are getting this at all (and quiet frankly, I could care less about how many certificates you have........which I can promise you, being in school as long as I have been, I probably have more than you do...........).

The issue lies around "safety" and your seeming lack of the concept. I am not advising you against, just do it RIGHT!! And it seems like getting help from your "prof" might be a good start

Good luck.

P.S. Look at the joint again (from what Keo posted) and tell me why it would simply "unscrew" itself and fall out?? If its all bolted up, you are not only spinning the joint, now, you are basically spinning the entire hub (wheel and all) a complete 360 rotation in order for it to completely unscrew itself. Not only that, with it all being bolted up, its in "bind" from all the weight of the (corner) of the vehicle pushing down on it, in essence "locking" it in place.
Atleast, this is the way I see it and I could possible be wrong (if so, please someone of more knowledge please point this out)

That sounds rather difficult, no??

when i look at those pictures russell posted, he cut the joint off where the control arm started to curve or bend which i measure it was around 2 inch from the end of the top arms to the part where he cut. i decided to cut way past where he cut around 4 inch long from the top of the arms to the part where i cut so the weld would rely on the whole arms instead on the weld relying on the sheet of metal i weld on. i welded the thick sheet metal every where, where it have the 1/2inch gap.


here a picture what i did(the picture is russell but the designing is mine)sorry russell, have to jack your picture for example!!
as you can see russell weld his from the beginning of the red mark to the end red mark and i welded from the beginning of the blue mark to the end of the blue mark. so which instead of relying on the sheet of metal we weld it also relying more to the control arm too. hope you get what im saying!!!

That shows good reasoning, hmong. More overlap will help with the strength. Now show us some pictures of your welds!

I can't find my camera after i took those last pictures. if i find my camera Ill take some pictures of it. My Weld aren't pretty but it work. i got help from my friend and his Dad which his Dad is a welder/ truck driver. The first Weld came out pretty good but after the sloppy over lap kills the look on the other hand their welder was so old and rusty also the ground wire wasn't good so the Weld didn't came out that good but it work. I welded a brace under the control arms but i think its not enough so I'm going back to his house and Weld another braces for safety.

Take a chill pill Alex...

-C

He was probably hungry.

Back on topic I was a truck driver/welder once, in fact I welded while driving... upside down underwater while browsing the forum on a handheld computer that I welded in my big rig.

Ok ok...

You seem like a nice kid that has practical knowledge and becoming a good welder is something that takes time, it seems you are already on a path to do that which is great. I think most of us would rather you take your time and make sure it comes out perfect. I have seen too many young people die in car related crashes that could of been avoided.

I would hate to lose one of our own.

if your a welder or have weld over lap before you should understand what i means. the first weld was looking good with nice pattern but after the over lap weld kills the look since it burn through the first weld, but by the look it tacked good!!also yesterday i called my teacher to see if he can check my welds on the control arms. he will be checking them today around the afternoon!!

if you know anything about welding you shouldnt have to have someone check your welds.

im glad i live in GA and not CA

If after you sat in a upper level math class, of which you have had no prior experience with, you were given a take home exam (which if you pass would determine if you graduate or not) and allowed to ask the professor any question under the sun, would you approach him with ideas regarding your process and how you solve the questions??


hmong, I await the pictures as well and would much prefer to see them before I pass judgement/or make any further comments