Weld dependent high steer arms?

barrelroll · #1 03-13-2007, 03:09 PM

I have a buddy that just picked up these in his words "super sweet" high steer arms off e-bay. They are double ended arms to put the tie rod behind the axle. Instead of just being machined out a single piece of steel they are made out of 2 pieces and are connected with a lap joint. They overlap maybe 1/8" and have 3 passes of weld on each side, no gussets, very much weld dependent. They have some grinding for some sort of clearance on the back side that looks like a 4 year old did it. They also came primed on all sides which my understanding is paint on the surface where the arm meets to the knuckle is not acceptable.

Am I right by telling him to return them or throw them in the grabage? They are going on a jeep that he plans to run in the stock mod uroc class and also running it on the street. The whole weld failing and taking out a family of 4 is what scares me. I'm not touching the steering for fear of the e-bay cobble killing some one, am I actually thinking right for one?

JeepnGreg · #2 03-13-2007, 03:54 PM

could you get a picture?

seems shady.....but theres more to it than just being weld dependant.

what type of weld, what weld material, weld radius, length of the weld bead, is it welded on both sides?

as for paint on the knuckle.....to my knowledge there isnt anything wrong with that, but i suppose it could vary with the type of rod end you are using

if you describe it as being garbage-esque, then it prolly is.....but post a pic if you can.....or ebay link....or sometihng that might give a better idea

ecamp55 · #3 03-13-2007, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barrelroll

am I actually thinking right for one?

I think you are. I know I wouldn't touch something like that, or ride with anyone who did.

RRich · #4 03-13-2007, 05:15 PM

If it's bad enough to question I sure wouldn't want you using it. And I wouldn't want you coming toward me or passing me either.

Ditch it quickly before someone gets hurt.

spook2 · #5 03-13-2007, 07:43 PM

I'd have to go with the group on this one. Just based on a description I'd be loath to trust my butt to a welded together steering arm. Speaking of which, I can't imagine why it's welded together instead of a single unit. The second thing that get's me is that it's only lapped by 1/8". That sure doesn't leave much support at the joint, nor does it allow for much of a weld bead. Unless the picture is worth at least 250 words worth of explanation I don't see this being anything but a quick buck booty fab on someone's part.

barrelroll · #6 03-13-2007, 07:47 PM

eBay Motors: Dana 44 High Steer Arms for your rock crawling 4wd (item 120091463116 end time Mar-04-07 15:25:35 PST)

There's the arms is question, they are triple passed on both sides.

Some one please put it in simple english why these arn't safe and why a lap joint isn't safe for steering, something that will get through his thick skull, he doesn't under stand why they arn't safe.

The paint on the arm mating surface wears and causes a gap big enough to loosen up the arms.

GreenMachine · #7 03-13-2007, 08:08 PM

I went to the item and looked at it... That's pretty darn funny. Looks like the guy took a stock arm and a spacer and welded some crap on it then painted it to hide any "imperfections" in his welding. I wonder if you have to sign a waiver before buying those.

JeepnGreg · #8 03-13-2007, 08:27 PM

yea those arent real good.

i would avoid

they'd prolly split right along the weld there the first time you tried to turn against an obstacle.

spook2 · #9 03-13-2007, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barrelroll

eBay Motors: Dana 44 High Steer Arms for your rock crawling 4wd (item 120091463116 end time Mar-04-07 15:25:35 PST)

There's the arms is question, they are triple passed on both sides.

Some one please put it in simple english why these arn't safe and why a lap joint isn't safe for steering, something that will get through his thick skull, he doesn't under stand why they arn't safe.

The paint on the arm mating surface wears and causes a gap big enough to loosen up the arms.

What it "looks" like is that someone took a set of one piece arms, cut them in half and then welded them back together with that offset. Some sort of clearance issue I'd guess. If they had the skills to CNC those things, then then had the skills to cnc them out of one piece of steel. Those are booty fabbed and your buddy got taken. The ONLY machine I'd put those on would be a trail only machine, and at that I'd only use them as backup replacements for the GOOD pair I somehow managed to screw up while on the trail. IOW, those are garbage.

I run a weld shop for a living and a fillet welded lap joint like that will NEVER be as strong as a solid steel piece. You might stand a chance if you get 100% penetration of your joint AND you anneal it properly AND you stress relieve it properly. I'd wager those parts have none of the above.

If you value your buddys life, GIVE him the 60 odd dollars he wasted if you have to, but don't let him install that crap on something to be driven at ANY kind of speed. Scratch that. Don't let him install that crap, period.

CJ7Taz · #10 03-14-2007, 05:46 AM

I don’t see a problem with the way the weld is done. I’ve seen a lot of welds in tension or shear support a lot of weight. We hang complete cars and trucks from not much more. Trains run on rail butt welded together. If this scares you, take a look at the chain you’ve been using to hoist your engine. You guys weld those threaded plugs in the end of a piece of tube for a tie rod and think nothing of it.

Weld can be very strong. I’m not a welder so I’ve never taken the test but as I understand it, the job certification test goes like this. Two pieces of steel bar are laid on a thinner plate with a gap between them. I believe the bars are 1 x 4 bar and the gap is one inch. The welder taking the test fills the gap with weld. The plate is ground off the back and the piece is placed in a bender. The piece is bent at the weld and it must bend without cracking. But what would be the point of having a test that anybody can pass? So, one concern is who did the welds?

Would I use them? NEVER! There is a much bigger problem you've missed.