Million Dollar Skunksworks Kirkham

[David Kirkham]

Here is a shot of the rear uprights. Notice the area for the pushrod. We loaded the upright and NOT the control arm so the control arms could be made as light as possible by taking the bending load out of them. That is how the big boys do it. (See, I'm "borrowing" their ideas again).

[David Kirkham]

Here is where the push rod will bolt to the upright. Notice the rod end at the bottom of the upright is held in double shear.

[David Kirkham]

Here is a shot of the rear lower control arm. Notice how we even took into account the direction of the machining marks. That reduces stress raisers and makes the part look better. We didn't want any machining marks to stop and start in the crotch of the control arm. That would have been ugly.

[David Kirkham]

Rear lower control arm.

Notice how we milled the brake flex line holders directly into the arm. We didn't want ugly clamps to ruin the look. Also, you have to keep those brake lines out of the way of flying rocks, squirrels, politicians, etc.