TeamSwift

so I have this problem with gravel roads

destroys the underside of my car, the suspension components taking the brunt of it. so I decided to do something about it.

traced out the arm onto cardboard, then cut it out, then traced the cardboard onto 1/8 steel. used a plasma cutter to get the rough shape, then a angle grinder/flapper disc to finish shaping them.

then for the sway bar mount hole...I used 2 inch od seamless tubing (not exhaust pipe), centered over existing sway bar hole, welded full circumference on the inside of arm.

then used a hole saw, cut a 2-1/8 hole in the one steel plate (I marked the hole from the outside of arm, onto plate)
lined up pretty good! now for welding!

used various clamps, welding one inch at a time, alternating sides to keep the heat stress to a minimum.
finished product! some touch up welding to fill the low spots, then a final flapper disk grinding.
before and after
the arm was fully sandblasted, in and out. I will pour some ''KBS COATINGS'' urethane rust seal into the two remaining holes on top, and role it around, covering the entire inner cavity, to prevent rusting from the inside out. then seal the holes.

that's one finished.

waiting on new whiteline bushings.
in total, maybe 2.5-3 hours for the first one...second one will be quicker.

_________________
89 1.0 turbo firefly
2"exhaust,no cats/resonator
3 tech 6*gear
3 tech turbo grind cam
3 tech cylinder head/w/port,polish,blend,oversized s/s valves
gti brake swap
89 white gti twincam....need I say more?
92 metro aka ''blue lump of coal''
92 white metro lsi vert
91 blue chevy sprint (gas sipper)

Nice work! Looks almost like a casting.

shit thats nice. you should start making then for sale. im sure there are a few people who would buy them.

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92 geo metro 1.0L 5 spd. 2 dr Soon to be my turbo swap car. (Dragonfly) sold
91 pontiac firefly, 1.0L 2dr auto. stock. (The crap can) sold
91 chevy sprint. 1.0L 5 spd. My first turbo swap. (Red rocket) now the purple nurple
95 geo metro. 1.3L auto parts car. (Scrap)
91 chevy sprint turbo, blueboy keeping it "stock"

those will probably be stronger than the arms i added gussets to for rallying.

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1991 Blue Geo Metro Convertible highly modified 1.0L Turbo3 5 spd. - 1991 Red Geo Metro Convertible customized with a Twincam 5 spd.

My Turbo3 Project
My Cardomain Page -Ol' Blue
My YouTube Channel
My Photo Gallery
SAAB Sonett II

Well done , That looks great

_________________
THE MR . SUZUKI CONVERTIBLE /// SIGNED BY MR .SUZUKI
at CAMI Automotive 2006 / 06 / 06

See The MR. SUZUKI Convertible here >>>> viewtopic.php?f=36&t=24728
or here >>>> http://geometroforum.com/topic/5577648/1/

FINALLY AN UPDATE!

been silly busy with work, moving locations and setting up a new shop.
finally got my internet back, was off-line since Saturday due to the shop move.

so on the easter long week-end I tackled the DESTROYED rear swing-arms on the metro- I noticed when I put my summer tires on, I had at the most an inch of steel left, around the outer bushing

we all know what its like, trying to remove frozen bushing bolts- out came the sawz-all and angle grinder with a zip disc. found enough good used bolts in my bolt bin.

here are some more pics





look at the hole pounded thru from the gravel road
on the right is where the lower outer bushing goes
mounted on car
all new whiteline bushings, very well lubed. I wanted to install the rear sway-bar, but I could not find one of the mounts that I had cut off of a parts car, nor could I find my new end links and bushings

WOW WHAT A DIFFERENCE IN THE HANDLING!

_________________
89 1.0 turbo firefly
2"exhaust,no cats/resonator
3 tech 6*gear
3 tech turbo grind cam
3 tech cylinder head/w/port,polish,blend,oversized s/s valves
gti brake swap
89 white gti twincam....need I say more?
92 metro aka ''blue lump of coal''
92 white metro lsi vert
91 blue chevy sprint (gas sipper)

Nice work! Your using the same blue that I have been using for my own car. Was it the salt/rust damage tallied with the gravel abrasion that caused that damage?

they don't use much salt if any in my area- most likely from driving 55-70 mph on gravel roads....
my rear bumper skin is chewed thru as well.... exhaust pipe gets hammered flat at the bend around the gas tank...gas tank is chewed up as well.

every 3 months I spray the underside with gravel guard... it helps a bit.

epoxy- based paint, safety blue in color- almost matches the car!

_________________
89 1.0 turbo firefly
2"exhaust,no cats/resonator
3 tech 6*gear
3 tech turbo grind cam
3 tech cylinder head/w/port,polish,blend,oversized s/s valves
gti brake swap
89 white gti twincam....need I say more?
92 metro aka ''blue lump of coal''
92 white metro lsi vert
91 blue chevy sprint (gas sipper)

Nice replacement part, but for the look of the first picture you have a rust problem!

In my opinion, if you can see rust, deal with it. Will only get worse.

http://owatrol.com/en/all-our-products/ ... l-oil.html

If you can see rust, put this on using a radiator brush.

PROPERTIES

Penetrating rust inhibitor
Stops rust and protects the base metal from further rusting
Penetrates and protects down to the sound metal.
Drives out moisture and air and stabilises
Leaves a bonding film on all surfaces
Excellent adhesion including on galva, alu, zinc, wood ...
Maintains the natural look of the surface (metal, wood, etc.)
Enhanced adhesion, ideal foundation for primers or finishing coats.
Allows paint to be applied direct to firm rust.
Heat resistance up to +175°C
Paint Conditioner
Makes alkyd paint rust inhibiting
Improved paint flow and workability
Better viscosity which allows painting to be carried out in cold, warm or windy conditions.
Replaces damaging thinners; improves hiding power of paint.
Wood impregnation
Deeply penetrates and seals wood.
Protects metal parts.

WHERE TO USE

Ferrous and non ferrous metals. (may be applied on wood, plastics, glass,...)
Lightly to heavily rusted surfaces.
On new surfaces, use OWATROL AP60
May be used in any oil based paints, air drying alkyds, lacquers and varnishes, one component urethanes and asphalt / petroleum based paints. May be mixed with oil based stains/paint to improve impregnation of wood and protection of metal surfaces (hinges and fittings)
Do not mix with quick drying paints (car paints), chlorinated rubber paints, with two components paints and water based paints (see OWATROL-EB and FLOETROL)