Quote Originally Posted by DCUK Martin View Post
All the "boxing" does is increase bending strength in the XZ plane* - ie carrying the car's weight, and I don't think you'll find any instances of a failure there.
(X is left/right, Y is front/back, Z is up/down)
I find it very difficult to believe that boxing does not increase bending strength in all three planes.

For example, if I place the LCA on its side in a 50-ton press and apply force, the LCA will bend in a "U-shape" until the ball joint is almost touching the bushing. If I had boxed the arm and applied the same procedure, it would require more force since the added sheet metal will deform. As we know, metal does not deform without resistance, which makes it suitable as a material for construction generally.

If it were true that boxing did not increase strength in the Y plane, then you should be able to perform the aforementioned pressing procedure without incurring any damage to the added sheet metal; you cannot.

I would agree with you only if you could show that the arm could be bent in the Y plane without causing damage to the added sheet metal.