I have a question about a pretty basic issue. I'm finalizing A-arm design (construction now, geometry is pratically done). We have used for some years Chassis Shop's tube adapters because we are limited in our machining time and prefer to use it for more critical parts.
This situation has 2 inconvenients: first it limit the weight saving possibilities by imposing a unique thickness for a given tube outside diameter. Second we find it a little expensive.
So I am curious to know if other teams, beside of completely machining their owns, have found a less expensive way of fixing rod-ends to their A-arms. I'm not considering the use of spherical bearings for the inboard mounts this year because I'm waiting to know if we can reach the level of precision needed in the construction of the frame...
Last year some teams 'seem' to use modified nuts to fix rod-ends to the a-arms. Am I wrong? This option seems to be a little hazardous on the safety side, because it doesn't give a lot of surface in the inside of the tubing, near the weld, to give adequate mechanical resistance...
Gabriel
Ecole Polytechnique de Montréal FSAE