Steering arm --HELP!!

[BillM]

I have a 71 with a springover and 33's. While wheeling this weekend I bent my steering rod bad. I originally bent it in a slight "S" shape to clear the springs when I flexed it off road but with the hard wheeling this weekend and the lower tire pressure it took its toll. I'm going to be a trail guide this weekend for the Pocono Trail fest and need a good solid fix by thursday night. I have another straight rod but it won't clear the springs when flexed. What can I do to make it hold out. I have an arc welder and access to a mig welder. Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanx
Bill

Sprungover `71 Jeepster w/ lotsa goodies

Why don't you bend the straight one to fit and then reinforce it in some fashion in the area that failed on the old one. Maybe a piece of 1" angle iron welded to the rod or a piece of steel pipe cut in half and bent to the same shape. I'm assuming it bent where you had already bent it. I would only weld lengthwise on the rod and not around it to avoid creating a breaking point.

Carl Lee
67 Jeepster Commando
"Old Reliable"

[Paul Calman]

I did a springover early this year.
I used a drop pitman arm and had to bend a step into the drag link to get the angles right.
I gusseted the bent area using 1/4 x 2 inch iron. I cut and ground it into shape to give the longest possible braces, welded them on. I have worked it hard, no bending. On the right side, I turned the wheel all the way right and made a cardboard template to reach almost to the spring, and copied it in steel for both sides
Angle irons may work but, look sloppy.


To Email, leave my Mom out of it.

[BillM]

Thanx guys! I went to AutoZone near me and picked up a new one with "lifetime" warranty for $27.00. I'll be putting it on tonight and when I make the bend I'll find something to strengthen it like you did. I'll reinforce the old one after I straighten it some and keep it in the truck for a spare.

Sprungover `71 Jeepster w/ lotsa goodies

Hey BillM how are you bending that arm to begin with and after you bend it is'nt it to short then?

holly jeepers, tfp3

[BillM]

What I did was turn the wheel all the way to the passenger side and marked where I had to make the bend to clear the spring. It isn't much of a bend since I have a drop pitman arm. Then I heated that area with a torch until it glowed and bent it slowly. Then I cooled it in 50w motor oil to put the strength back in somewhat. It only shortened it about an inch or two but the adjusting sleeve has enough room for it to separate more. I bent mine while wheeling with 10 pounds of air in the 33-12.5 tires. there was too much stress turning on dry pavement going into the trails.

Sprungover `71 Jeepster w/ lotsa goodies