Watts Link

[Krytin]

Looking for the stock Watts Link that someone might have laying around after installing the Metco Link.
I need to get some dimensions off of it to fab one up to match my new adjustable lower control arms.

[DEW34]

any pics of the control arms ? mild steel ?tubing size ?
mike

[Haggis]

Do you need it mailed to you or just the dimensions?

[Krytin]

Do you need it mailed to you or just the dimensions?
Good dimensions will be fine!
I trust your measure!

[Krytin]

any pics of the control arms ? mild steel ?tubing size ?
mike

I'll try for some installed pictures this w/e.

They are chrome moly, 1 1/4" OD = .120" wall
Steel ball joint rod ends w/kevlar/PTFE races.
I installed a set of Limo uppers that I got from Ray the dealer.

The ride was already hard from being lowered - rear air suspension is set as low as possible,
There was no down side to installing the solid rod ends on the lower arms but the ride is tight and the rear stays a lot straighter than it did on the 1rst to 2nd shift!

Now I want to use the ball joint rod ends in the Watts Link.

[DEW34]

good choice of tubing did you tap the ends or weld inserts for the heim joints? i have been thinking of doing the same thing for a while . i worked part time at a chassis fab shop for 5 years we always built our own 4 links. the heim joints need to be looked at ever now and then they will take a beating on a street car .
mike

[Krytin]

Weld on threaded inserts. Rt hand thread on one end and left hand thread on the other.
These can be adjusted in place.
I did install tight fitting rubber cups to seal the ball joints - packed w/grease.
I am expecting to replace the ends on a regular basis.

[DEW34]

Sounds like you did a good job . Lol all you need now is a frame bracket with some holes to change the location of your new lower bars .I was thinking last night your heim joints should hold up fairly well as the limo control arms still have the oem bushings that will absorb a lot of the back and forth shock that tends to damage the rod ends .
mike

[Krytin]

Sounds like you did a good job . Lol all you need now is a frame bracket with some holes to change the location of your new lower bars .I was thinking last night your heim joints should hold up fairly well as the limo control arms still have the oem bushings that will absorb a lot of the back and forth shock that tends to damage the rod ends .
mike
Thank you!

I was counting on the upper rubber bushings to lessen the shock to the linkage - it does appear to be working that way so far.

The rod ends I used are rated at over 20,000 #'s of static load so I hope the last awhile!
The mod is semi permanent as I could not source the ends to fit the metric bolts. The ends use 5/8" bolts which required drilling out the stock holes (that frame bracket WOULD have been a good idea!). The OEM arms can be reinstalled by drilling out the bushings as well - there is more than enough material.