Question regarding upper links

[jason02ws6]

So I picked up a Wraith on trade last week and it came with Integy or Cappu junk aluminum upper and lower links. I want to swap them out with a set of home made links but I have questions about the uppers. Does it matter at all if I don't bend the uppers and leave them straight? I don't have a tube bender and I don't really want to just eyeball it so can I leave the uppers straight? Sorry if there is already info out there on tis subject, I tried searching but was unsucessful. Appreciate any help guys.

[jason02ws6]

First thing to go was the back half of the cage.



Quickly got tired of the stock body so this happened.



Still need to straighten out the lines but I'm happy with it. Just need to toss those junk links now.


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[travis c.]

You could use a vise to bend them, I've done it many times before. I'm fairly sure they need a bend to clear the driveshafts.

[EeePee]

Technically it doesn't matter if a link is straight or shaped like a curly straw. Whether a straight link clears everything or not, I do not know. You can eyeball bend em over a counter top or in a vise or whatever. A hammer handle. Literally anything. Bolt two together and start leaning on em and they bend pretty easy.

[jason02ws6]

Originally Posted by travis c.

You could use a vise to bend them, I've done it many times before. I'm fairly sure they need a bend to clear the driveshafts.

I would if i had a vise. Any alternatives to a vise that might work. I'm limited to hand tools at the moment.

[jason02ws6]

Originally Posted by EeePee

Technically it doesn't matter if a link is straight or shaped like a curly straw. Whether a straight link clears everything or not, I do not know. You can eyeball bend em over a counter top or in a vise or whatever. A hammer handle. Literally anything. Bolt two together and start leaning on em and they bend pretty easy.

Thanks EeePee. I'll try that. So you're saying run a bolt and nut through both ends to keep them "square" right? try to get as close a possible equal bend in them that way?

[Eric0424]

You'll need at least one bent link on the front and rear. Straight links on the driver's side will cross paths with the drive shafts when the suspension is compressed.

[jason02ws6]

Originally Posted by Eric0424

You'll need at least one bent link on the front and rear. Straight links on the driver's side will cross paths with the drive shafts when the suspension is compressed.

Thanks!

[EeePee]

Yes that's what I'm saying. Or a little imporised jig. Very simple stuff, don't be deterred.

Realize links get shorter when you bend them.

[jason02ws6]

Originally Posted by EeePee

Yes that's what I'm saying. Or a little imporised jig. Very simple stuff, don't be deterred.

Realize links get shorter when you bend them.

That's exactly what I was thinking. My plan is to measure from eye to bend on each half of the link and make a straight link that size, then bend it until I get to where I need to be. Thanks for looking out though.

[jason02ws6]

My initial thought was to make my own lowers and just paint the uppers black, but there is a terribly ridiculous amount of slop in the upers. They flop around all over the place and it's just plain not good.

[Thechewmaster]

The upper by the driveshafts need to be bent or you will probably bind against the shaft.

I love my vp titanium upper links

[RMack]

I made some aluminum uppers and used only hand tools for the bends. I marked with link with a line where the bend needed to be, sandwiched it between a rock and a hard place so that the line was level with the edge of the hard edged object and hammered the link until the bend achieved the eye to eye distance i needed. Hope this helps.

[jason02ws6]

Thanks for the tips RMack. I'll try that and see what results I get.


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[jason02ws6]

I found a super cheap tube bender at Harbor Freight today and put in some work. Pretty happy with the end result.









In case anyone is in the market here's the info on the bender I picked up.




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[GTAcrawler01]

I made my own from stainless steel. I will measure the length I used once i'm home. they were the same as the uppers, used a 10/24 die and put on some traxxas revo rod ends. for the bend...i just used a vise and bent them to match the stock ones. It's a 15 degree bend.

[jason02ws6]

Originally Posted by GTAcrawler01

I made my own from stainless steel. I will measure the length I used once i'm home. they were the same as the uppers, used a 10/24 die and put on some traxxas revo rod ends. for the bend...i just used a vise and bent them to match the stock ones. It's a 15 degree bend.

I went a little overboard with my bends. They are in between 30-45 degrees but they are all matched and work so I'm good with it. I'm going to put a small bend in the lowers as well for a little more clearance. i used plain old brake tubing and all thread for mine, it's what I could find cheap and in stock. At some point I'd like to step up to stainless tubing but I'm having a little trouble finding any in my area.

[tc1]

What size Stainless tubing do you need? We have some here at the shop. Like 1/4" OD?

travis

[jason02ws6]

Originally Posted by tc1

What size Stainless tubing do you need? We have some here at the shop. Like 1/4" OD?

travis

yes. 1/4" OD, i'm not sure of the exact ID but as long as 8-32 all thread will fit inside it will work.

[GTAcrawler01]

I don't use the tube style. Just rod for added strength. Next is the steering linkage but i have no idea how long to make the drag link and tie rod. 171mm is still too short. Need a Vp one to copy from