Installing cup washers on control arms

[Dave K.]

How does one install the cup washers for the leaf spring on the control arm; arm they pressed with the edge crimped or do you use a peen hammer to bend the edge of the washer over the edge of the steel?

[Mike M.]

Re: Installing cup washers on control arms

i usually peen them as the rubber cushion hides my peened attempt, which is not as neat as the factory press jobs. mike

[Mike M.]

Re: Installing cup washers on control arms

i musta had too many beasts this evening. the rubber cushion will NOT hide my feeble attempt at peening. sorry. mike

[R N.]

Re: Installing cup washers on control arms

How does one install the cup washers for the leaf spring on the control arm; arm they pressed with the edge crimped or do you use a peen hammer to bend the edge of the washer over the edge of the steel?

Gary Beaupre wrote an excellent tech article in The Restorer not that far back - he made a special tool to peer over the cup ends and you can "borrow" the tool with a deposit.

[Brian K.]

Re: Installing cup washers on control arms

Eckler's Corvette sell a tool sku# 25-11708 Corvette rear spring and trailing arm crimping tool kit $39.99

[Tom L.]

Re: Installing cup washers on control arms

Dave, check your mail.

[Gene M.]

Re: Installing cup washers on control arms

Dave,
I use the round end of a ball peen hammer with another hammer to flow over the edge while backing up the cup with 1 1/2" diameter 3/8" thick washers. Then use the flat side of the same hammer to set it flat the same way hitting it with the second hammer. If you want the arbor press can do the work of the second hitting hammer. Same for the trail arms but you need to get inside to back up the cup. No need for anything special, just using "stuff" in my shop. Forty bucks plus shipping to just peen over sheet metal lips is not realistic for me........

[Stephen L.]

Re: Installing cup washers on control arms

Dave, I used the same method Gene Manno described. The ball peen hammer should be fairly large, 1"+ or so such that it is larger than the hole in the cup ..... here is a photo of the installed cup.

[Gary B.]

Re: Installing cup washers on control arms

Eckler's Corvette sell a tool sku# 25-11708 Corvette rear spring and trailing arm crimping tool kit $39.99

Brian,

From the photos the Eckler's tool looks like makes a nice crimp/swage and it looks easy to use. With S&H the cost for Eckler's tool is close to $50, so it would be a good option if you want to own the tool outright and have it on hand when needed. If doing just one spring or set of T-arms, an equivalent tool that I created some years ago (the one Kurt mentions) that will make the same neat crimp/swage as the Eckler's tool can be borrowed for up to 2 weeks.

Gary

[Gary R.]

Re: Installing cup washers on control arms

takes about 30 seconds with a large ball peen. I put a piece of rod stock in the vise, a flat disc in the cup then lay the arm on the rod to hold it and peen it over. Once it starts to roll over use the flat face to tap it down. Just like a cobbler hammering on an old boot.

[Gary B.]

Re: Installing cup washers on control arms

takes about 30 seconds with a large ball peen. I put a piece of rod stock in the vise, a flat disc in the cup then lay the arm on the rod to hold it and peen it over. Once it starts to roll over use the flat face to tap it down. Just like a cobbler hammering on an old boot.

Gary,

Clearly, each of us has a favorite technique and tools. One nice thing about my tool is that it can be safely and easily used while the spring and T-arms remain installed on the car.

Gary

[Gary R.]

Re: Installing cup washers on control arms

Very good point Gary. My mind set is on rebuilding arms so I have them bare in hand. On the car is a different story for sure and the tool is great don't get me wrong.

[Mike E.]

Re: Installing cup washers on control arms

Gary,

Clearly, each of us has a favorite technique and tools. One nice thing about my tool is that it can be safely and easily used while the spring and T-arms remain installed on the car.

Gary

I agree...Using your tool on the car was easy as it could be. There are other issues too that come into play with replacement cups that are available for early midyears that do not have the correct hole diameter. Without the tool it would have been nearly impossible to install.


Mike

[Dave K.]

Re: Installing cup washers on control arms

thx all for your input.....I think i'll use the tool. Dave

[Tom A.]

Re: Installing cup washers on control arms

If you want to build your own tool I have something that works perfect and costs almost nothing. An antenna nut is the perfect size to flare the edge, then flatten with a thick flat washer. The tool is made up of a 7/16 x 3 1/2" bolt two thick flat washers, an antenna nut (Corvette mid year) a spacer for the nut to push into and a 7/16 nut.
Put the first flat washer on the bolt, then the antenna nut (round side out), install this into flanged side of cup then put a spacer (large socket) on top side then flat washer and nut. Tighten until fully flared, remove antenna nut, re-install with large flat washer then tighten until flare is flat. Remove and you have a perfect flange that is flat and smooth.