Bumpstops to "bump" on suspension links?

Tacoma747

Tacoma747

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2005
Location
Winston-Salem
Both front and rear of my buggy it will be a pain to build something for the bumpstops to mount to above the axles (and won't look too good either). I have aluminum suspension links, so I can't really weld brackets to them for a larger surface for the bumpstop to hit. I have the ~5" tall polyurethane bumpstops that have cutouts in the center, bolt on w/ two bolts.

Would it be a bad idea to have the bumpstops hit the links instead of the axle itself? Is the 2" link large enough of a surface area? And mainly, how far back from the axle could I go? I would think no more than a foot (front links are 3' long) from the axle, but it is a light buggy...

Suggestions?

I do have a TIG welder, the suspension links are 7075 aluminum. Would it be a bad idea to weld brackets to give the bumpstop a larger surface to hit the link?
 
That's a tooling grade of aluminum, to put it in laymens terms. It's heat treated and alloyed so it can stand up to the type of use you got in mind. Welding on it what so ever will make it weaker, and its not the best alloy for welding on. My Lincoln reference book states that it is difficult to weld in both GMAW and GTAW. It would require specific filler material and pre heating along with re-heat treating. It also states that the major alloying element is Zinc. Which vaporizes in the weld flume, making for a loss of strenght and the potential for poisoning. Zinc is the major content of Galvalume metal, so thats the sort of associated risk. If it were 7039 would be a better alloy for welding but has less ultimate strenght. Hope this info is helpful.
 
I'll also add that the book states it is used in airframe structures and highly stressed parts and responds well to resistance welding. Fusion aquired from very high frequencies and pressure.
 
the same question for me except i have .25 wall DOM 1.25" arms...that would be ok too??
i know they are strong but any chance of them bending??
 
Can you get some type of tube clamp & weld a plate to the clamp?
 
ohv_kj said:
the same question for me except i have .25 wall DOM 1.25" arms...that would be ok too??
i know they are strong but any chance of them bending??
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If you mean 1.25" outside diameter, you WILL bend them. There are plenty of 2" OD 1/4" wall links bent riding around out there.

That was my main concern on welding to the 7075- strength reduction. Didn't know it would be difficult to weld though. I will see if I can make some sort of a bolt-on sleeve that will bolt to the lower links with a plate of some sort welded to them.

Thanks
 
I was thinking of doing the same thing to my lower links. I think another concern besides bending the link would be keeping the bump stop close to the axle. The closer to the BS is to the frame the more leverage the link will put on the frame mount, possibly ripping it off.
 
Tacoma747 said:
If you mean 1.25" outside diameter, you WILL bend them. There are plenty of 2" OD 1/4" wall links bent riding around out there.
That was my main concern on welding to the 7075- strength reduction. Didn't know it would be difficult to weld though. I will see if I can make some sort of a bolt-on sleeve that will bolt to the lower links with a plate of some sort welded to them.
Thanks
Click to expand...

would it look crappy if i welded an 6" long flat steal to the top of the link...couldn't that or something like that help it from bending...also i am a very conservative wheeler...i sometimes forget where the gas pedal is...:bounce2:...so that said...
 
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