Lower control arms reinforced, my way (1 Viewer)

[kelly saad]

Many of you may have read my thread about how my lower control arm broke. I finally decided to brush away 5 years of pine needles and dig out my Toyota control arms out out of my back yard. Glad I kept them!

Instead of buying the bolt-on bracket, I wanted to weld reinforcements on the weak location. So here it is.

First, I started with 10 gauge steel and cut pieces to fit. Ground off the old paint and welded them on the inside of the arm. I held them back far enough so that the washer will not interfere with the piece I welded on.

 

[kelly saad]

But wait, it’s not done. Limping out of Fins & Things on my bump stop had scarred me enough to think I needed two layers of reinforcements. So....... layer 2

 

[nukegoat]

This doesn't really exactly show the finished result. Don't you need to drill a hole in it or something?

 

[kelly saad]

Cleanup and ready for the sand blaster. Can’t powder coat these because the bushing is still in the arm. It looks to be in pristine condition, so I’m not going to worry about it.

 

[kelly saad]

Ready for epoxy primer and paint. Will drill out the hole and be ready for install. Will be replacing my uppers, lowers and new boots on my axles, new pads too.

 

[kelly saad]

This doesn't really exactly show the finished result. Don't you need to drill a hole in it or something?

Well, I’m not done yet, but wanted to share it because I’m proud of my repair.

 

[nukegoat]

Well, I’m not done yet, but wanted to share it because I’m proud of my repair.

Any reason you just didn't weld a weld-washer to it? The hole already exists

 

[kelly saad]

Any reason you just didn't weld a weld-washer to it? The hole already exists

Not sure I understand. I wanted it extra strong since I already broke once and ruined my family vacation. Wouldn’t this be stronger than a washer?

 

[nukegoat]

Not sure I understand. I wanted it extra strong since I already broke once and ruined my family vacation. Wouldn’t this be stronger than a washer?

Not a regular washer, a weld washer. Something like this, but in metric. Race cars use 'em everywhere

Weld Washers - Kartek Off-Road

Weld washers are for reinforcing mounting locations such as shock mounts. These washers can prevent elongation of bolt holes by strengthening the area around the bolt hole and provides more surface area that is in contact with the bolt.

www.kartek.com

 

[kelly saad]

Not a regular washer, a weld washer. Something like this, but in metric. Race cars use 'em everywhere

Weld Washers - Kartek Off-Road

Weld washers are for reinforcing mounting locations such as shock mounts. These washers can prevent elongation of bolt holes by strengthening the area around the bolt hole and provides more surface area that is in contact with the bolt.

www.kartek.com

Yea, that would probably have done the trick. Same concept really. I had the steel already though.

 

[nukegoat]

Yea, that would probably have done the trick. Same concept really. I had the steel already though.

Yeah, I just don't like the idea of having to redrill the hole. It would have been better to have drilled a hole first, then aligned the reinforcement plate with a bolt, then welded. If you're really sloppy with the drilling now, you could end up noticing the misalignment. Probably totally fine, though.

Ultimately, this kind of stuff is the right way to approach problems on one's cruiser. Nice work.

 

[kelly saad]

Not a regular washer, a weld washer. Something like this, but in metric. Race cars use 'em everywhere

Weld Washers - Kartek Off-Road

Weld washers are for reinforcing mounting locations such as shock mounts. These washers can prevent elongation of bolt holes by strengthening the area around the bolt hole and provides more surface area that is in contact with the bolt.

www.kartek.com

Also, I wanted to overlap the welded seam on the arm to help make it even stronger. I was able to do this by adding two layers of steel. The first one was welded flush with the overlapping seam, then the second went over that first seam and connected the two original seams.

 

[kelly saad]

Also, I wanted to overlap the welded seam on the arm to help make it even stronger. I was able to do this by adding two layers of steel. The first one was welded flush with the overlapping seam, then the second went over that first seam and connected the two original seams.

It’s completely overkill, I know. The bracket would have been just fine. But it was satisfying to do it this way.

 

[nukegoat]

Also, I wanted to overlap the welded seam on the arm to help make it even stronger. I was able to do this by adding two layers of steel. The first one was welded flush with the overlapping seam, then the second went over that first seam and connected the two original seams.

Makes sense. Night View.

 

[kelly saad]

Finally getting to this. Had my paint gun out today, so I figured it was time. In epoxy primer now. Paint in a little while.