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Worked on the beam today. Actually, we've (I) have been working on it for about three weeks now. You know, it's one of those things that you get to do a little this week, then you need a part, or a tool, or things just don't seem to be working right? Yeah, it's one of those things. We wanted to lower the front of the car, but remember that we're doing this on the cheap, so we're not doing the dropped spindle method, and I'm not going to buy a new beam with adjusters in it already, so what's the next best thing? Buy some adjusters, and install them yourself!
Most adjusters that you see out there, are of the sway-a-way style, but I don't really like that style because you actually have to cut the entire beam in half, and cut 2 inches out, then figure out how to keep everything straight and tue when you try to weld it back together.
I like using the avis style adjusters which are just welded to the outside of the beam, and locate the center leaf clamp in position. Here's a pic, .JPG)
So on these, what you need to do is get the center section loose. The center is held in place with two dimples on either side. You can either cut out the dimple, or, what I did was to heat the dimples with a Oxy torch then push the center section over to push out the dimple. Kinda crude, but effective. Once you have the center free, scribe the cut out onto the beam, and cut out. Weld the bottom of the adjuster onto the beam, locate the center, insert the leaves, install the grub screw, and the two lock nuts, and you can call it good!
Some clean up, some paint, and were good to go. Pictures of the compleated beam to follow... |