Nice job. I like that you bent the arms.

Bending the arms will will effectively shorten them. This will quicken the steering and will require more steering effort.

Once you get them installed please let us know if you notice this and if it is an improvement.

The best.

I think this will make for a significant handling improvement on a hot rod and if you can do it in your garage it is very reasonable $$$$ compared to bump steer spherical tie rod ends, purchasing Bilstein struts (if your car has konis) and having the spindles raised, reinforced, de-cambered etc.

Put another way probably 95% of the benefit for only a few $$.

I think the quicker steering will be cool with the S arms, If the effort is too high maybe some thinner tires?

Or bigger steering wheel.

Cool project.

I am just trying to be like Popeye! Gotta work on the forearms.

The steering effort is almost nill in my car. The front is so light I don't expect any increase in effort. If anything it might take it back to a stock effort.

I have a friends early E car coming to the house today for new torsion bars, cornerbalance and algnement. Plus i will weld in new rear sway bar mounts. The installation of the struts will be delayed a week or so. I will update with driving impressions when I get it back on teh road.

JP,
I am interested in hearing how quick your turn in is. And if you could try it with toe in and then toe out and tell us the difference. I have been running toe out on the street, my steering wheel makes a qtr. turn and I am deep into the turn. It does get twitchy above 95 though. I am on the fence right now about bending the arms down, any info you can provide could throw me one way or the other.
Thanks
Tim

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What a great thread, well done Jamie and thank you for the good write up.

Don't forget, bending the steering arms effectively shortens them and that changes the Ackerman effect.

There are computer programs that allow you to model such suspension changes to see if you like them or not and I'd kindly suggest doing so before bending any metal. Some changes, while OK for race cars, can have some negative consequences for street cars.

The steering effort is definitely increased by bending the arms. I'm not saying it's excessive and a problem. Just saying it's a legitimate issue to bring up. My '79 widebody has the raised spindles with bent steering arms and it's quite a bit harder to steer than my street car.

Steve is indeed correct that Ackerman angle has been changed by bending the arms. The original shape/curve of the steering arm is purposely shaped that way to create a "toe-out in turning" effect which is beneficial in steering the car. Basically an unmodified steering arm will open up the inner turn in wheel more than the outer so they can roll along a different radius. It basically relies on the dog leg curve that the steering arm has and bending the arm takes away some of this feature.