pitted trailing arms/A arms etc.
What is the best way to fill in all the pitted areas on my 63 A trays etc. or am I better off looking newer ones. Thanks
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Re: pitted trailing arms/A arms etc.
Robert------
You could fill them in with something as simple as Bondo. Or, you could use something like JB Weld. Beyond that, you could use something like the low temp, aluminum welding rod available from the Cecil Muggy Company. Finish sand and paint. Keep in mind, though, that no matter what method you use, it's not going to restore any lost structural integrity to the arms; it's strictly "cosmetic".
However, if the pitting is severe, you need to inspect these arms much more carefully for other corrosion damage which might go along with the pitting. Unseen, internal corrosion can be a big problem on these arms. If the overlapping metal seems "lifted", that means that corrosion has gotten under the metal. In that case, the arms are scrap. Period.
Keep in mind that these arms are an important, safety-related component of the suspension system. Personally, I wouldn't want any corrosion-compromised or, even, suspected corrosion-compromised such parts on a car I drove.In Appreciation of John Hinckley -
Re: pitted trailing arms/A arms etc.
What are "A trays"? Pitting on chassis parts if minor can be filled with body filler. But it will not stand up well to normal chassis environment use. Jacks and lifts will ruin your efforts as the filler is soft compared to the original metal.Comment
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Re: pitted trailing arms/A arms etc.
Depends on the amount and severity of the pitting. Follow Joe's advice.
Very minor pitting can be filled with high build primer and sanding before painting. Sometimes two or three coats are needed with sanding after each coat before final top coat.
I have also had excellent results using POR 15 putty and then a LOT of sanding. The sanding can be limited by being careful in the application of the putty and having access to air tools.
My 70 was pretty rust free having lived in the Texas desert most of its life. The only exception was some light to moderate pitting in the upper corners of my windshield frame. Apparently water will build up in this area just due to washing. I used the POR 15 putty and it worked perfectly. Wish I had taken some before and after pics but I didn't. Top coated with POR 15 afterwards and it will be around long after I am gone. Prep is the key. Follow the instructions exactly as stated from POR 15.
BillComment
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Re: pitted trailing arms/A arms etc.
Gene-----
I assumed he was referring to the trailing arms. However, as I think more about it, maybe it's the front a-arms. If so, though, most of what I mentioned still applies. The only exception is the comment I made about "overlapping" metal. That doesn't apply to the front a-arms.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: pitted trailing arms/A arms etc.
Thanks to everyone. The A arms and trailing arms have pitting but no metal lamination. So I guess I will need to doing some sanding.
I have used a product called (All Metal) in the past.Just wondering what would be the best product to use with the least amount of work.Comment
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Re: pitted trailing arms/A arms etc.
I like Evercoat Slicksand for rust pitting. It's like sprayable bondo. One tip tho: spray the entire cup within about 3 minutes and clean the gun immediately otherwise after a few minutes it hardens inside the gun and is very difficult to impossible to clean.Comment
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Re: pitted trailing arms/A arms etc.
My front control arms were pitted pretty bad. I built up coat after coat of epoxy primer sanding between each coat. Here are a few pictures before, in process and completed.
MikeComment
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