LCA boxing overkill?

[JMLaux]

So I am finally getting around to completing the overhaul I started on the front suspension. One of the things I have been planning on doing is replacing the current LCA that were a custom made by some previous owner and looked as though the dimensions were just eyeballed. Ive got a pair of original LCAs I would like to get boxed up before putting them on. Seems like most of the research I have done on this a plate over the top suffices however I got to thinking would it stronger to weld in cross hatched plating instead? Creating an i beam type reinforcement that will hopefully protect the two most common failure points on the arm; the shearing of the arm around the LCA bushing and the shearing of the ball joint around the track arm bushing. Does this seem like overkill?

Of course all the clearance will be considered for the shock as well as pressing in and out the ball joint, this is just a quick mock up.

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[Spittybug]

Overkill. All you are trying to do is add some rigidity by adding at least a portion of a 4th side.

After this, worry about the rearward movement of the arm due to the lack of lower control arm bracing. Problem solved on that too :smile:

[David T]

So I am finally getting around to completing the overhaul I started on the front suspension. One of the things I have been planning on doing is replacing the current LCA that were a custom made by some previous owner and looked as though the dimensions were just eyeballed. Ive got a pair of original LCAs I would like to get boxed up before putting them on. Seems like most of the research I have done on this a plate over the top suffices however I got to thinking would it stronger to weld in cross hatched plating instead? Creating an i beam type reinforcement that will hopefully protect the two most common failure points on the arm; the shearing of the arm around the LCA bushing and the shearing of the ball joint around the track arm bushing. Does this seem like overkill?

Of course all the clearance will be considered for the shock as well as pressing in and out the ball joint, this is just a quick mock up.

34148

There are many (most) Deloreans using the original LCA's and they are fine. If the car gets towed and the tower pulls the car by the LCA's or you hit something in the road, boxing them up isn't going to help. All you are doing is adding Unsprung Weight.

[Ryan King]

Overkill.

I don't think its necessarily overkill, I had my arms boxed up and welded by a local metal shop. Mine are pictured below before repainting.
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I think it helps add more rigidity to the arm and gives me a bit more peace of mind. I also have additional bracing welded around the ball joint region. Didn't cost too much to have done. Definitely something to do when you have the arms off.

[Spittybug]

I don't think its necessarily overkill, I had my arms boxed up and welded by a local metal shop. Mine are pictured below before repainting.

I think it helps add more rigidity to the arm and gives me a bit more peace of mind. I also have additional bracing welded around the ball joint region. Didn't cost too much to have done. Definitely something to do when you have the arms off.

Yours are similar to mine Ryan. Looking at the OP's diagrams, the amount he was proposing seemed overkill. I'm all for boxing them....

[Gfrank]

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How Ive done mine (pre sand blast and paint)

[Chris 16409]

Yours are similar to mine Ryan. Looking at the OP's diagrams, the amount he was proposing seemed overkill. I'm all for boxing them....

I believe Ryan used your arms as a guide. I found the picture you posted and showed him. We have a really good welder/fabricator shop in town. This guy repaired a botched bolt hole in my valley.