Hairpin idea and question???

[kelseydum]

I need a hair more clearance (no pun intended) for my pitman arm. I don't want it to bang my radius rod. I could very easily put a block under the front leaf to raise the front end a little (which would be really easy)... but I was thinking about something different again. Would it be strong enough with out the extra bracing? I could curve the 2 braces to make it a little more "webbish" to be more pleasing to the eye. What do you think about this?

Pay no attention to the makeshift mock up drag link...

 

[Rat Rod Jim]

Is that picture a photo shop example or did you already cut the radius rod...

Can you change the mounting of the radius rod to the frame? Lowering the mounting tab would lower the radius rod, which might be enough to clear the pitman arm movement... But you will also have to change mounting tab on radius rod of passenger side...

What I had to do on mine was heat and bend the pitman arm to clear the radius rod... I am using a reversed corvair steering box, mounted on the frame...

 

[JohnThomas Sorrels]

The problem with the way you want to modify the hair pin is that you are going to need a longer notch in case you are turning and hit a bump, which will not only look bad but also weaken the already poor design of the original hairpins. If your going through the trouble why not just make new stronger hair pins without the bends?

 

[Bonehead]

The problem with the way you want to modify the hair pin is that you are going to need a longer notch in case you are turning and hit a bump, which will not only look bad but also weaken the already poor design of the original hairpins. If your going through the trouble why not just make new stronger hair pins without the bends?
]

good point.

 

[donsrods]

There are a couple of styles of hairpins, one like you have and one where the top bar is straight. The straight one infringes on the space a little less than the one you have and would clear your steering arm by a bunch, I bet. Here is the one I am talking about.

Don

 

[Dragfink]

Also, lowering the radius rod mount in the rear will change the caster on the axle, so you will also have to compensate for that too...

 

[kelseydum]

This is just a photoshop mock up. I do also understand that adding a block to raise the front end would change the caster just like changing the radius rods, but I do have a little adjustment left in the tie rod ends. Thanks for the advice keep it coming.