Bending Question

[53guy]

Posted in the Advance tech forum, but I'm affraid I might not get an answer there, so repost here....

I'm not quite sure where to put this, but I am putting in a new steering set up that utilizes 1.1250" outer diam, .220" thick DOM tubing and would like to use a pipe bender to put two angles into it. My question is, can I use a regular exhaust style pipe bender to bend the rod, or will it destroy the strength in it? The company I'm ordering from has the option of bending it for you, but at $89 a bend, I'd rather do it myself, but I'm concerned about bending DOM tubing on a non-mandrel type bender. What do you tool junkies think? Will I be ok bending it?

 

[Frank Z]

A pipe bender won't work, the DOM is to stout. Find a local fab shop that has a tube bender.

FWIW, $89 per bend is criminal!

 

[53guy]

FWIW, $89 per bend is criminal!

yeah, i thought so too.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

A pipe bender won't work, the DOM is to stout. Find a local fab shop that has a tube bender.

FWIW, $89 per bend is criminal!

a pipe bender will not work because the dies are different sizes (tube is measured by OD while pipe is measuered by ID) not because DOM is too stout. The improper die size will kink the tube.

 

[53guy]

I know absolutely nothing about bending, so what is a good price for 4 bends?

 

[53guy]

Never mind guys, I don't need to bend it any more, here is what I just ordered. I said screw the bullet proof guys that charged an arm and a leg for the bends and went with Searchers 4wd. The guys there were super easy to work with and are going to put the bends in the tube that I need for free. It looks something similar to this.....Super excited to be getting it and after shipping and all, it's only running me $330.

Both the tie rod and drag clearanced out in front of the axle tube, diff cover and sway bar links so that I'll have no issues. Super sweetness IMO.