So, what would solve that issue? Welding some more metal at the top where the a arm shaft bits into the metal?
Thanks,
Jansen
Thats a good question.
Even if the shaft hasn't slipped often enough to tear up the top of the pocket too badly tightening the shaft bolt can cause a dimple. Dimples aren't bad
if the dimples where you need it to be. If the dimple is any off from where you want the shaft the shaft isn't inclined to stay in place.
One thing that will help you is making sure the knurling is clean of rust and shavings.
Hell of it is an alignment will hold with things pretty buggered up, until you hit something.
Sorry for the rambling, my minds doing the Way Back number. In The Day (that saying should be trademarked) there was the GM vs Ford alignment argument. GM used shims which butted the suspension up against a frame member of sourts and kept the suspension from shifting BUT oftenly the alignment couldn't be gotten
just right. Ford used the slotted/ sliding suspension which the alignment could be gotten
just right but a good shot could and would knock it out.
I remember being amazed how long my first II (bought new) held an alignment, how well it steered and tracked ... until I hit a crater ... It's a painful memory.
Anyhow, the fix ... I think the first move in any type of fix would be to fill weld and grind flat any tearing or dimpling. That could require someone somewhat skilled in wielding thin stuff. That would get you back to stock.
In preventing further slippage I was thinking of installing a thick washer between the shaft and pocket, getting an alignment then (heavy tack) welding the washer to the pocket because steel to steel CF wouldn't be great enough to keep the suspenstion from slipping. It would have to be a pretty thick washer. Something similar to whats found on a rear axle U-Bolt. Might not be a big enough OD so I would ask my friend make me some washers out of cold roll or something.
If a washer is thick enough it could raise the uppers inner enough to improve the dynamic geometry .. but thats it's own story with it's own engineering considerations.
I haven't thought about this in years. Back when a II was my daily driver I thought about this issue often. Always knew that one day I would get beck to working on my cars and when I did this is one of the issues I would address.
