another link tech Q

[JohnRobHolmes]

what is the best order of operations to make bent steering or susp links?

cut, tap, bend?

cut, bend, tap?

bend, cut, tap?

[fuzzhead]

im gonna say cut, bend, tap. but my opinion isnt worth much. never really done it before. just seems like the most logical

[WRMorrison]

I would measure the length three or four times, and then cut, tap and bend. It will be a real pain in the ass to try and tap bent links. Or at least that 's what I think.

[fuzzhead]

yeah i suppose. but it depends on where the bend is.

[mike]

id bend, cut, tap. it how i did mine.

[GReddy]

tap cut then bend cause if u mess up ur tap just cut it out and redo it without throwing out one big peice of rod

[bigred]

i have cut,tapped then bent mine with no problems

[bigred]

one of your options you have the bend cut tap i think thats a bad idea....

[Ace]

Make them straight

I always make a set, then figure out they are .25" too short and make a second set.

Then after the next comp I realize I need to stretch out my rig about 1" to climb some really ignorant steep hill so I make another set. BUT, I screw up cause adding 1" to all the other links doesn't work so I have to make a 4th set.

Next comp I start over again.

Hope this helps.

[RCMFMaxxMan]

I would say bend then cut because its hard to predict how long the links will be after you bend them. So bend them, measure them and cut them. Then drill into the holes on the links with the smae size bit as the hole to make sure that the hole is straight. Then just tap them.

[MudCow]

Originally Posted by johnrobholmes

what is the best order of operations to make bent steering or susp links?

cut, tap, bend?

cut, bend, tap?

bend, cut, tap?

I measure the desired length eye to eye using vernier calipers. Subract 30mm (2 x 15mm for each ball end) and then add up to 5mm depending on how much I need to bend the links to maintain the desired length.

Cut required number of links to length.

Drill and tap. Install 3mm Grade 12.9 Allen head bolt using loktite and cut off head. Remove burs from cut end so that the thread cuts neatly into the ballend without chewing out the plastic. I use my Dremmel to cut off head and then use bench grinder to de-bur.

Bend, check, re-bend, re-check, re-re-bend, re-re-check etc...

Using the first link as a template bend other links as required.

Hope this helps.

JK

[BultacoJim]

Mudcow’s method is the one I use. Mainly because I thread links in my lathe & my collets don’t accept pretzels. And yes, you end up rechecking, & rechecking, & rechecking.

Remember, the “finished length” of a link is the length measured by the Vernier Calipers or your calculated measurements from your blueprint. (You are working from a drawing? )

Like Mudcow says, you may have to add 5mm or so depending on the number of bends. I like to have my top and bottom links form a parallelogram when viewed from the side. If you want a link between point A to point B, then make the Link to fit, don’t move point B closer to A just because it’s easier.