Getting ready for a show is always hectic; most people always want to do something new to their cars. During a recent visit to Homies Hydraulics in Paramount, California, we were asked if we wanted to document a pair of A-arms being customized for a show car. Always on the lookout for the latest trends to hit the show circuit, we said sure. A pair of stock A-arms received a custom touch within a few hours.
Homies owner Anthony explained how you gain a few "hidden" benefits when you mold A-arms, including how they're better able to take the abuse that is caused by the hydraulic pressure. Another benefit is that the A-arms looks like show-winning pieces with a cool custom look. Let us show you how the pros at Homies Hydraulics customize A-arms using pieces from the Original Parts Group. You may want to do the same to your A-arms.
 These stock lower A-arms were...  These stock lower A-arms were ready to be customized. |
 1. First on the agenda was...  1. First on the agenda was to remove the excess road grime using a wire brush. |
 2. To ensure a good bond between...  2. To ensure a good bond between the metal and the welds, the lower A-arms were sandblasted. |
 3. Homies crew member Cesar...  3. Homies crew member Cesar started off by cutting a cardboard stencil. |
 4. The stencil was then checked...  4. The stencil was then checked and trimmed to ensure a perfect fitting. |
 5. Once the stencil was perfect,...  5. Once the stencil was perfect, it was traced and cut out using a cutting torch. |
 6. The 3/16-inch metal plates...  6. The 3/16-inch metal plates had all of the excess removed. They were also allowed to cool off before being handled. |
 7. Moses cleaned the A-arms...  7. Moses cleaned the A-arms using a wire brush. This ensured that the areas to be welded had a strong bond. |
 8. This procedure is the same...  8. This procedure is the same for most lower A-arms, including these '64 Impala A-arms that were being customized simultaneously. |
 9. In order to get the metal...  9. In order to get the metal to do as you want, you'll need to take the metal plate pattern and weld it in sections. |
 10. Moses then "persuaded"...  10. Moses then "persuaded" the metal with a sledge hammer, which was used to form the necessary contours. |
 11. The procedure continued...  11. The procedure continued with more welding. |
 12. The A-arms were allowed...  12. The A-arms were allowed to cool off, but were not allowed to warp or become misshapen as this is one of the sections that takes most of the abuse from hydraulics. |
 13. The welds were ground...  13. The welds were ground smooth to see what sections needed to be retouched. |
 14. The coil holders were...  14. The coil holders were also molded smooth. |
 15. The A-arm was now ready...  15. The A-arm was now ready to be ground down and shaped in a free-flowing style. |
 16. The A-arms were smoothed...  16. The A-arms were smoothed out using a hand-held grinder. |
 17. Before being sent to the...  17. Before being sent to the chrome plater, these lower A-arms received a new set of bushings and ball joints. |
 18. These lower A-arms were...  18. These lower A-arms were triple-plated in a show finish and were ready to go back onto the frame. |