Fixturing is an efficient way to accurately hold parts in place so they can be machined, milled, or welded. We will use some fixturing on the rear swing arm assemblies a little later but for now I will be using chipboard patterns as a guide in making the a arm links.



This is not a real accurate way to ensure that the right and left sides are exactly the same. But since there will be adjustment at each connecting point then being close should be close enough. The upper A arms are made using 3/4" tubing and the lower A arms will be made using a combination of 3/4" and 1" tubing. The next photo shows the 3/4" tubing with a 1/2" nut tack welded to one end. This nut will receive a 1/2" spherical joint that connects to the nose assembly. A spherical joint is a flexible connector that allows for limited movement. They are also referred to as Heim joints and Rose joints. I am using magnets to help hold the parts in position while being welded. The next picture shows a coupling nut welded to the other end. This must be angled in order to hold the spindle in the correct position. A coupling nut is just an extra long nut. It is needed here because the angle of the pipe would prevent the Rose joint from being screwed into the end. The next photo shows angled portion of the A arm with a Rose joint screwed in the end.
This Rose joint has male threads on each end. It will be screwed into the 1/2" nut that we welded on the spindle.

The next photo shows the angled portion of the A arm welded to the straight portion. It also has a coupling nut welded to the end. This completes the right upper A arm. The left Upper A arm is exactly the same as the right except that it is a mirror image of the right. You can use the same patterns but remember to be sure the pivot nut end points in the right direction. Did I remember? Thank goodness for angle grinders.