1973 idler arm conversion problem - Franken-Imperial

["kwdata" <kw.data@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

If you are going to lengthen this part by welding in some bar stock of
identical metallurgy please use 312-16L welding rod. This will eliminate
your cracking problems and provide the tensile and sheer strength you will
need.
----- Original Message -----
From: <dardal@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, January 16, 2003 12:19 PM
Subject: Re: IML: 1973 idler arm conversion problem - Franken-Imperial


> Kenyon, a shorter pittman arm would also reduce the motion range of your
> steering, so your hesitation is even more justified.
>
> What type of material is the idler arm out of?  Is it cast steel or cast
iron?
> My guess is cast steel since iron is too brittle.  Iron is more tricky to
weld,
> but steel is not too bad.  Second, does it appear that the arm has any
special
> heat treatment?  You may be able to get indications of its heat treatment
by
> its hardness.  If it scrathes real easy with a sharp tool like a screw
driver,
> its probably just plain soft steel, so the weld heat will not reduce its
> strength.  At any rate, I can't see why this part would be made out of any
high
> strength steel.  I don't think there is any significant loading in an
idler
> arm, and its probably alreasy way overdesigned as is.  So, my guess is
that the
> lengthening trick will work.  You can ask the welder to make a super beefy
weld
> that will never brake, but beware that a crack could form in proximity to
the
> weld.  To be in the safe side, after installation and initial checks,
check the
> arm periodically every 6 months or a year to check for cracks.  On the
positive
> side, most of the steering linkage loading will be at it hihgest during
real
> slow speeds when parking, which means that an unlikely catastrophic
failure
> will probably occur at a low risk driving condition.
> D^2
>
> Quoting kenyon wills <imperialist60@xxxxxxxxx>:
>
> >
> > Trying to get a matching chrysler pittman arm (assuming for the moment
> > that it will fit an imp steering spindle) is a no-go, as those are
> > $120,
> >
> > The other thought that I have is to saw the chrysler arm in two and
> > have
> > an extension welded in.  This being a steering linkage and all, I don't
> > like that one much unless the welder can convince me that it will be as
> > strong or stronger than the cast arm was to begin with.
> >
> >
> >
> > Your thoughts?
> >
>
>
>