Welding Spring Perches on axle housing

Junk Yard Genius · #11 03-26-2007, 12:23 PM

I agree with TiminMb.
Better safe than sorry.

CJ Dave is the welding expert around here, if you can catch him here he will give you EXACTLY what you need in the way of information and requirments.

88yjduck · #12 03-26-2007, 05:14 PM

Wow ..didnt expect so many responses....I think RRich convinced me with one word....DEADLY!. Think I'll just tack it in place and let a pro do the rest. I'd hate for the axle to come loose on the highway.

SilentBob2 · #13 03-26-2007, 05:31 PM

I used a Hobart 140 mig on my bumper and brackets that I made. The brackets are 3/16 and the bumper was 1/4 and the welds looked good so I decided to test the first bracket and hit it realy hard with a BFH and the weld stuck to the 3/16 but peeled off of the 1/4 so I ended up using the old Lincoln stick welder. The welds aren't that pretty, but I don't think think they will brake away either. My hobart is suppose to be able to weld 1/4 inch but I geuss I don't have a clue on how to do it. Planning on taking some classes and my uncle is comming out next month and said he would show me some pointers.

TiminMb · #14 03-26-2007, 06:06 PM

Maybe the volume of responses were overkill, but this issue of critical welds and a combination of possibly inappropriate equipment for the job and or inexperienced welders seems to come up over and over again. I read one post on an atv forum a few months back where a fellow borrowed a small mig welder from a relative and as a first time project built his own trailer hitch through a process of trial and error, saying he repeatedly ground out and welded over his beads, getting better and better as he finished the job. I applaud the DIYer, but we all have to know our limits.

WILL · #15 03-26-2007, 08:48 PM

This is what can happen if the spring perch welds let loose. I was climbing a step-like hill when it went. Fortunately nothing bad happened other than breaking the u-joint strap bolts. I drove home front wheel drive and welded them better the second time.

RRich · #16 03-26-2007, 09:45 PM

TRY IT!
Try welding a couple of 1/4" pieces together - not just running a bead along one . Weld about 3/4" - 1" together. Do the best job you possibly can with it.

Then put it in as vice and break it apart - it'll be easier than you'd think.

Do another this time after learning what you just learned.

Now cut across the weld - a grinder or chop saw works best, but you can use a blade type saw.
Have a close look at the cut - you can actually see how it melted into the base metal. See how it barely melted the base metals.

Now soak that cut piece in acid - muriatic - pool acid, sulfuric acid - battery acid - most any acid.
Look at it again.

Don't believe us - look for yourself.

Even the toys have a long enough duty cycle to weld an inch!

Using a toy welder is like a flea looking at an elephant with rape on his mind!