[DeTomaso] Nickle plating on suspension arms

[JDeRyke at aol.com]

Most of the problem with plating suspension parts comes from something 
called 'hydrogen embrittlement' and is more prevalent with high-carbon steels. 
During plating, the hydrogen generated seeps into the interior of steel 
through the grain boundaries and weakens the structure. Nickel plate is less apt 
than chrome to cause hydrogen embrittlement. Its correctable by baking in an 
oven for a while, but is not much of a problem with mild steel a-arms; much 
more so with high-carbon antisway bars. Your plater will be familiar with 
all this. Any cracks in your a-arms found by magneflux can simply be 
gas-welded and ground back down; especially look around the rear swaybar mount 
straps. Good luck- J Deryke