Reinforcing the 280zx front control arms
08-14-2012, 08:56 PM
#1
Reinforcing the 280zx front control arms
Inspired by PPK's thread ( https://www.zdriver.com/forums/280zx...z-28955/page6/ ), I decided to do some welding on a spare set of front control arms. I welded in gussets for the sway bar link mounts and took it a step further to add reinforcement to what looks to me to be the weakest spot of the control arm. I'll be using T3 tension rods, so this should complement them quite well. 
08-27-2012, 07:01 AM
#5
Big Poppa
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Mission, British Columbia
Posts: 4,499
good upgrade, i prolly should do that to mine. i had to make new sway bar frame mounts (1/4" steel) as i tore mine apart so this would most likely be the next weakest point. that and i need to save up for the t3 rods too.
08-27-2012, 07:33 AM
#6
^^^ Shiza! I was wondering about those mounts. Jeff P used crazy thick cnc machined mount caps.
I got the control arms and T3 tension rods installed last week. One thing to note if anyone does the sway bar tab reinforcements, is that the farther out gusset cannot poke out below the bottom edge where the tension rod mounts. I had to take one off and shave it down because the tension rod would not sit flat.
I will post more pics this week.
I got the control arms and T3 tension rods installed last week. One thing to note if anyone does the sway bar tab reinforcements, is that the farther out gusset cannot poke out below the bottom edge where the tension rod mounts. I had to take one off and shave it down because the tension rod would not sit flat.
I will post more pics this week.
08-28-2012, 07:31 AM
#8
Big Poppa
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Mission, British Columbia
Posts: 4,499
yeah jeffp is where i came up with the idea. no one around here wanted to machine parts for a reasonable cost so i had them bend the loop and i welded tabs on to make the flange. i couldn't fit washers but with 1/4" steel who needs it. i have the 1.25" sway bar and poly everywhere and when i cornered hard it ripped the cheap msa mounts right off the bolts. luckily it didn't damage the mount tabs or threads.
08-28-2012, 10:06 AM
#9
Mr Z++ Wiki
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Victoria, BC
Posts: 2,195
^^^ Shiza! I was wondering about those mounts. Jeff P used crazy thick cnc machined mount caps.
I got the control arms and T3 tension rods installed last week. One thing to note if anyone does the sway bar tab reinforcements, is that the farther out gusset cannot poke out below the bottom edge where the tension rod mounts. I had to take one off and shave it down because the tension rod would not sit flat.
I will post more pics this week.
I got the control arms and T3 tension rods installed last week. One thing to note if anyone does the sway bar tab reinforcements, is that the farther out gusset cannot poke out below the bottom edge where the tension rod mounts. I had to take one off and shave it down because the tension rod would not sit flat.
I will post more pics this week.
yeah jeffp is where i came up with the idea. no one around here wanted to machine parts for a reasonable cost so i had them bend the loop and i welded tabs on to make the flange. i couldn't fit washers but with 1/4" steel who needs it. i have the 1.25" sway bar and poly everywhere and when i cornered hard it ripped the cheap msa mounts right off the bolts. luckily it didn't damage the mount tabs or threads.
Shady do you think the threaded portion needs to be beefed up as well or just the mounts themselves?
08-30-2012, 11:05 PM
#12
I had to shave down the corner of my gusset that I welded onto the sway link tab. The bottom of the triangle must be flush or shorter so the tension rod will mount flat against the control arm:
09-01-2012, 07:18 AM
#13
Big Poppa
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Mission, British Columbia
Posts: 4,499
ill work on some pix for you guys, gonna have to get it up on the hoist. i felt the threads to be good enough, i think the outter most bolt could be replaced easily but the one into the frame would be tough. the bolts are equivilant to grade 8 so those are fine. after the upgrade i havent ripped them back off again tho with extreme cornering if that means anything. having 255 wide tires with the large sway prolly didnt help the poor flimsy sway clamps.
09-02-2012, 11:24 AM
#14
Mr Z++ Wiki
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Victoria, BC
Posts: 2,195
ill work on some pix for you guys, gonna have to get it up on the hoist. i felt the threads to be good enough, i think the outter most bolt could be replaced easily but the one into the frame would be tough. the bolts are equivilant to grade 8 so those are fine. after the upgrade i havent ripped them back off again tho with extreme cornering if that means anything. having 255 wide tires with the large sway prolly didnt help the poor flimsy sway clamps.
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