Fulcrum Pin Washer Question?

[Ford_Crazy]

I took my upper A-arms to my machine shop for disassembly and bead blasting. When they were disassembled my machinist said there were four washers on the fulcrum pin. Two are thicker and are beveled inside to fit flush on the end of the pin and two are thinner and flat. Is this correct or did we miss something?

 

[cadreamn67]

You are right.
Do you have a copy of the work shop manual? If not, I highly recommend getting one. Even though found to be lacking in a number of cases, it is especially helpful in this case.
Also, as almost every professional restorer will tell you, it is very easy for people without experience with Sunbeams to screwup A-arm bushing installs. Even professional machinists. The manual shows the special tools needed. And they, or the equivalent are seriously needed. The arms are easily bent, especially the ears where the bushings go. They should be checked for correct dimemsions before and after the install. They even can be bent in normal use after installation. Also the fulcrum pins are not symetrical (sp?) and need to be installed in a certain orientation. Data is all in the manual.
BTW, may we assume you are going with upgraded steel fulcrum pins? If you are not familiar with the problems, please ask!
Cheers, Gene

 

[Ford_Crazy]

Darn...I forgot to check the manual. I have a copy on disk. My stock fulcrum pins look perfect. Should I replace the pins? I've read something about repro pins failing. Should I send my A-arms to a specialist for ball joint and pin installation? I'll check the shop manual.

Checked the manual and found the two special washers and the disassembly and reassembly procedure. My fulcrum pins look like new. Hard to believe a repro pin could be better than mine...

 

[cadreamn67]

There are some bad repo pins reported out there. Over machining of slots for attachment bolts weakening the pin as I recall. So it depends on who does them. Also stronger, better steel is very desirable. If you decide to keep what you have, at least get them magnafluxed and especially look for cracks where the threaded ends stop. I am sure there are several more knowledgable folks that can speak to this topic.
I would say have them tested for Rockwell hardness. You may already have upgraded pins. With that number handy, give Doug Jennings a call. Doug is in Ohio. In the past he has been able to source upgraded, much stronger steel pins. He will know from the Rockwell hardness number what you have. If you do not have Doug's phone number, let me know and I will PM it to you. FYI, Doug does not use e-mail but is very generous with his time over the phone, at least to those that don't waste his!
Also ask him if there are any specialists close to you he might recommend. BTW, I took off my A-arms and took my wife's car and drove to Ohio to get his help in installing my urethane bushings and ball joints several years ago. Which reminds me, do not forget to reinforce the upper ball joint mounting hole, if by chance that has not come up in other discussions!
Cheers, Gene

 

[Ford_Crazy]

I read about the mounting hole reinforcement. Thanks for the info. Can you please PM me Doug's phone number?

 

[cadreamn67]

PM sent. Cheers, Gene

 

[0neoffive]

A-Arms Rebuilds

Been down this road many times with our customers. We usually get the A-arms all beat to s--- after a novice attempt, which is why I started keeping the ready-to-go assembled package on the shelf.
Yes, be very careful how your pressman supports the units when applying the press. We've made several in-house tools from black iron pipe to the correct dimensions to keep those "A"s from warping. Mis-using an incorrect support will snap out the holding ring in the upper ball joint, which is why we pre-weld it before any pressing takes place. The previous posts do a good job of defining the need to inspect the fulcrum pins. Bead or blast them clean and inspect very carefully; your life is at stake here. The inner fulcrum washers are special and available when/if broken during the surgery. Send a PM for more info or Q's. keep em' runnin' r