About 1.5 years ago I had an accident driving on snow and ice. I was driving down a fairly steep hill. At the bottom of the hill was a drainage culvert with 6" high curb. My 1962 c102 pickup did not follow my steering path. My passenger side front tire dropped off the culvert and skidded along the curb. It rode on the lower arm, bending / rolling it back.
Fast forward to now. I found a replacement lower arm at a salvage yard, along with bolt and bushing. I had a machine shop re-weld the two tabs back onto the cross member that crosses under the engine.
After I drove it back to my house, I removed the front wheels to look at the brakes. I guess after setting all this time, I have some problems, as it pulls hard left when I brake. As I was looking at the repair, I noticed that the welder has attached the tabs at an angle not perpendicular to the cross member. The front edge of the lower arm appears to be canted about 5-10 degrees forward. I.e the front top corner of the lower arm is lower than the back / rear top corner.
The up down motion is fine, but I am concerned that the arc will change the geometry of the caster angle as the suspension moves up and down.
Is this a major concern? The welder said he aligned the lower arm strut with the lower arm. He said he will re-do it if the tire shop tech says it can't be aligned properly. My concern is that it will be dangerous and unstable in cornering. I also am concerned the tech will not know the difference since the truck is so old and unfamiliar.
Thanks
Fast forward to now. I found a replacement lower arm at a salvage yard, along with bolt and bushing. I had a machine shop re-weld the two tabs back onto the cross member that crosses under the engine.
After I drove it back to my house, I removed the front wheels to look at the brakes. I guess after setting all this time, I have some problems, as it pulls hard left when I brake. As I was looking at the repair, I noticed that the welder has attached the tabs at an angle not perpendicular to the cross member. The front edge of the lower arm appears to be canted about 5-10 degrees forward. I.e the front top corner of the lower arm is lower than the back / rear top corner.
The up down motion is fine, but I am concerned that the arc will change the geometry of the caster angle as the suspension moves up and down.
Is this a major concern? The welder said he aligned the lower arm strut with the lower arm. He said he will re-do it if the tire shop tech says it can't be aligned properly. My concern is that it will be dangerous and unstable in cornering. I also am concerned the tech will not know the difference since the truck is so old and unfamiliar.
Thanks
