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Technical lowered 51 Pontiac steering issue

Discussion in 'Traditional Customs' started by TonyVoltron, Jun 16, 2014.

  1. TonyVoltron
    Joined: Mar 29, 2011
    Posts: 124

    TonyVoltron
    Member

    I just put on the fat man drop up rights (3 inch). Everything was machined and assembled well. Now I have the wheels pigeon toed and steering tie rods are now hitting the center bar. What's the best solution for this? Is there a kit? Thanks in advance.
     
  2. Canada Jeff
    Joined: Jan 9, 2003
    Posts: 292

    Canada Jeff
    Member

    Did you use the dropped steering arms too, or the originals? Got any pictures?




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  3. "old injun"
    Joined: Nov 2, 2009
    Posts: 11

    "old injun"
    Member
    from Lansing IL

    fatman told you need to heat the steering arms..
     
  4. HOOLIGAN350
    Joined: Jun 20, 2006
    Posts: 127

    HOOLIGAN350
    Member

    I have the same spindles on my 51 Pontiac, like old injun said, you need to heat the two steering arms, mounted to the spindles and let them cool very slowly. I left mine in sand to cool, they're fine and I've jumped a curb or two since then.
     

  5. TommyGator
    Joined: May 1, 2014
    Posts: 5

    TommyGator
    Member

    I am looking for the best price option to lower my 1950 Pontiac Streamliner. I plan to keep as much stock suspension as possible but would like 4 inches lower if possible. I have seen several drop spindle options on line and springs that are supposed to drop it too. What do you guys suggest to get the most drop for the money with minimal geometry issues? Do you guys recommend the Fatman spindles or is there a less expensive alternative.?
     
  6. TonyVoltron
    Joined: Mar 29, 2011
    Posts: 124

    TonyVoltron
    Member

  7. TonyVoltron
    Joined: Mar 29, 2011
    Posts: 124

    TonyVoltron
    Member

    I got the kit from Jamco
     
  8. "old injun"
    Joined: Nov 2, 2009
    Posts: 11

    "old injun"
    Member
    from Lansing IL

    I purchased pair 2" front springs from [ ispo's springs ] I may have name misspelled,cost was around $100.
     
  9. TonyVoltron
    Joined: Mar 29, 2011
    Posts: 124

    TonyVoltron
    Member

    Bent the steering arms today

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  10. i see no no pics o_O
     
  11. TonyVoltron
    Joined: Mar 29, 2011
    Posts: 124

    TonyVoltron
    Member

    20140607_113013.jpg

    These are the Fat Man drop uprights
     
  12. TonyVoltron
    Joined: Mar 29, 2011
    Posts: 124

    TonyVoltron
    Member

    So we took a measurement to see what would take the pigeon toe away from the car. We divided it in half and used that length for each side. We then heated each side and bet the rod to the desired length , slowly and carefully 20140621_111854.jpg
     

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  13. TonyVoltron
    Joined: Mar 29, 2011
    Posts: 124

    TonyVoltron
    Member

    20140621_111905.jpg

    Before the rods were bent, they hit on each side and would not move because of the drop. I am also learning as I go here. I am lucky to have friends that are into the same things with knowledge and are not dicks
     
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  14. Toast
    Joined: Jan 6, 2007
    Posts: 3,885

    Toast
    Member
    from Jenks, OK

    I just installed the Fatman drop uprights on my 55 and don't remember needing to bend the arms that far. Have you tried to get it rolling again since you bent them?
     
  15. TonyVoltron
    Joined: Mar 29, 2011
    Posts: 124

    TonyVoltron
    Member

    they had a slight bent stock. My buddy has a 53 Chieftain where I transplanted my old motor. His steering arms are different as well.
     
  16. TonyVoltron
    Joined: Mar 29, 2011
    Posts: 124

    TonyVoltron
    Member

  17. freiertpc
    Joined: Nov 5, 2006
    Posts: 111

    freiertpc
    Member

    if you need more parts i have a 54 hardtop coupe
    sitting around
     
  18. TonyVoltron
    Joined: Mar 29, 2011
    Posts: 124

    TonyVoltron
    Member

    Cool thanks

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  19. J.C. Andersson
    Joined: Jul 7, 2013
    Posts: 35

    J.C. Andersson
    Member

    TonyVoltron, I am also looking for options to get my Poncho closer to the ground, and read some threads on the subject including Fatman uprights. All says "Heat and bend the steering arms". I am afraid that you are bending the wrong arms. It seems like you have bent the tie rods instead of the steering arms. It looks a little strange to me.
    Regards,
    Jan C.
     
  20. TonyVoltron
    Joined: Mar 29, 2011
    Posts: 124

    TonyVoltron
    Member

    J.C. I literally had no choice. They were touching and would not work unless I increased the bend on them. My buddy owns on a high end muscle car/ hot rod shop and my other buddy is a serious fabricator. If I was doing something wrong they have no problem letting me know.

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  21. freiertpc
    Joined: Nov 5, 2006
    Posts: 111

    freiertpc
    Member

    im stepping the frame in my belair but was debating on swaping to the pontiac frame and doing the 58 buick and pontiac upper and lowers with ball joints for discs and theres also room to do a drop pitman/idle arm setup to take those bends out like on a body dropped mini
     
  22. TonyVoltron
    Joined: Mar 29, 2011
    Posts: 124

    TonyVoltron
    Member

    I can't comment there. I'm sure one of the guys on here has good imput
     

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