Cold Rolled or Hot Rolled

[Travis K]

I need to fab up some suspension components, and I was wondering if I should use cold rolled steel or hot rolled steel. Does anyone have any advice on this for me? I was making some front spring shackle sides out of 3/8" hot rolled plate, and the metal seems a lot softer than the metal the stock ones are made from.

[dgfreeze]

there is virtually no difference in tensile strength between hot and cold rolled steel. the difference is in their precision. hot rolled is essentially just excrusion, while cold rolled is held to very precise tolerances. if you want to go with something stronger than regular steel, you will have to go a local steel shop, and tell them you want tempered steel. then, of course, there are various different degrees of tempered. some can still be bent, others cant, so on, and so forth. steel is my living, if you need some, i'll be glad to help, but i doubt you need more than the common strength. and, just an fyi, i made front spring shackles out of 3/8" HR, and i have had no problems at all. you will be fine, but i do strongly recommend grade 8 bolts. good luck

[Captainfab]

Hot rolled would be just fine, that's what most people use for brackets and such. Now if you're talking about suspension or steering links that's a different story.

[Travis K]

Thanks for the input guys.