A-arm Molding - Tech - Lowrider Magazine

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 ready to be customized.
1. First on the agenda was to remove the excess road grime using a wire brush.
2. To ensure a good bond between the metal and the welds, the lower A-arms were sandblasted.
2. To ensure a good bond between the metal and the welds, the lower A-arms were sandblaste

3. Homies crew member Cesar started off by cutting a cardboard stencil.
4. The stencil was then checked and trimmed to ensure a perfect fitting.
5. Once the stencil was perfect, it was traced and cut out using a cutting torch.

6. The 3/16-inch metal plates had all of the excess removed. They were also allowed to cool off before being handled.
6. The 3/16-inch metal plates had all of the excess removed. They were also allowed to coo
7. Moses cleaned the A-arms using a wire brush. This ensured that the areas to be welded had a strong bond.
7. Moses cleaned the A-arms using a wire brush. This ensured that the areas to be welded h
8. This procedure is the same for most lower A-arms, including these '64 Impala A-arms that were being customized simultaneously.
8. This procedure is the same for most lower A-arms, including these '64 Impala A-arms tha

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.
9. In order to get the metal to do as you want, you'll need to take the metal plate patter
10. Moses then "persuaded" the metal with a sledge hammer, which was used to form the necessary contours.
10. Moses then "persuaded" the metal with a sledge hammer, which was used to form the nece
11. The procedure continued with more welding.

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.
12. The A-arms were allowed to cool off, but were not allowed to warp or become misshapen
13. The welds were ground smooth to see what sections needed to be retouched.
14. The coil holders were also molded smooth.

15. The A-arm was now ready to be ground down and shaped in a free-flowing style.
16. The A-arms were smoothed out using a hand-held grinder.
17. Before being sent to the chrome plater, these lower A-arms received a new set of bushings and ball joints.
17. Before being sent to the chrome plater, these lower A-arms received a new set of bushi

18. These lower A-arms were triple-plated in a show finish and were ready to go back onto the frame.
18. These lower A-arms were triple-plated in a show finish and were ready to go back onto

How To: A-arm Molding

How to turn your stock A-arms into show-winning pieces.

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