Welding on Axle Tubes

tenntaco · 01-16-2006, 08:19 AM

Is there anything special I need to know about welding on an axle housing? I know you can warp them, but I figured there may be some specific things I need to watch out for. Advice?

Thanks in advance.

Bear · 01-16-2006, 08:36 AM

You got most of it figured out by knowing it is possible to warp them, but the only other thing I can think of is to make sure you clean/grind the area really well. Nothing like grease and road grime to contaminate a good weld!

I would say just follow your "basics" and you should be good to go, are you welding toward the diff or toward the outer part of the axle? The reason for question is, because some of the areas, can get pretty tight to get a nozzle into.

ATLRoach · 01-16-2006, 08:42 AM

Daniel... Work a little area at a time. Allow to cool and move to the other side.

tenntaco · 01-16-2006, 09:33 AM

I'm helping my brother with a SPOA on his samurai, so it's near the knuckles.

tenntaco · 01-16-2006, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATLRoach

Daniel... Work a little area at a time. Allow to cool and move to the other side.

That's basically what I've been doing. I need to go back over there tomorrow night to finish the front and get the axles back underneath. Yesterday I ran out of wire.

Ted · 01-16-2006, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tenntaco

I'm helping my brother with a SPOA on his samurai, so it's near the knuckles.

Are you welding on new perches? You would have to work hard to mess up the axle welding on perches. Just make sure you get them at the right angle. If you weld on a truss, you really have to be careful, you can really cause some warpage.

tenntaco · 01-16-2006, 12:17 PM

Yeah, perches. The kit he got uses a design that pretty much aligns itself using the stock bottom perches. I did notice that the first rear perch I welded on was slightly out of line. Basically if you were looking down at it, it is rotated very slightly in a counterclockwise direction. The top of the plate is parrallel with the others, so I figured that wouldn't be a big issue, as long as it's not bad enough to keep the new ubolts from bolting on. I guess I can straighten it up if I need to, though.

tanKoma · 01-16-2006, 05:06 PM

also be careful u dont weld any bearings in the diff, put the work clamp where the current wont travel thru there

tenntaco · 01-16-2006, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tanKoma

also be careful u dont weld any bearings in the diff, put the work clamp where the current wont travel thru there

Can you elaborate on that?

tacd44 · 01-16-2006, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tenntaco

Can you elaborate on that?

He is conserned that if electrical current from welding travels through any bearings they might melt form the heat.

I don't know if that's an issue or not, I won't argue it. But, keeping the clamp close to the work can help protect the CPU. I think someone on the board damaged their CPU welding.

tanKoma · 01-16-2006, 11:21 PM

i other words, the arc can travel thru ur bearings if its grounded in the wrong spot, like welding on the axle housing and puttin the clamp on the driveshaft

Boheefus · 01-17-2006, 08:08 AM

be sure to pull the seals sout or they will melt, like the other said, a little at a time will get the job done no problem

tenntaco · 01-17-2006, 11:56 AM

Well, no worries about that. The sami is on stands and the axles are laying on the other side of the garage. I would have never thought to take the axle seals out, but if they got messed up it's no biggy. I'm sure they're only a few bucks to replace.

tacokid1187 · 01-20-2006, 12:23 AM

Unhook the batetry before begining your welds. Like someone said, the current can mess with electrical stuff mainly CPUs if not unhooked

01-16-2006, 08:19 AM	#1
tenntaco Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,076	Welding on Axle Tubes Is there anything special I need to know about welding on an axle housing? I know you can warp them, but I figured there may be some specific things I need to watch out for. Advice? Thanks in advance.

01-16-2006, 08:36 AM	#2
Bear H-O-L-Y-------S-H-I-T-H-H-A-A Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: state of confusion Posts: 9,780	You got most of it figured out by knowing it is possible to warp them, but the only other thing I can think of is to make sure you clean/grind the area really well. Nothing like grease and road grime to contaminate a good weld! I would say just follow your "basics" and you should be good to go, are you welding toward the diff or toward the outer part of the axle? The reason for question is, because some of the areas, can get pretty tight to get a nozzle into. __________________ BEAR Originally Posted by abbott … remember, in the world of cars and trucks, its not cubic inches, its cubic dollars.

01-16-2006, 08:42 AM	#3
ATLRoach www.shutupandwheel.com Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: ATL Posts: 5,026	Daniel... Work a little area at a time. Allow to cool and move to the other side. __________________ Kyle Never Ending V8 Powered Truggy build up 03 Tundra - Stock 06 Gixxer 750 - Not stock

01-16-2006, 05:06 PM	#8
tanKoma The Satanic Panic Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hopewell, NJ Posts: 598	also be careful u dont weld any bearings in the diff, put the work clamp where the current wont travel thru there __________________ i have too many damn car projects 99 x cab SOLD 02 trans am ws6 1953 bel air rat rod 1950 chevy 3800

01-16-2006, 11:21 PM	#11
tanKoma The Satanic Panic Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hopewell, NJ Posts: 598	i other words, the arc can travel thru ur bearings if its grounded in the wrong spot, like welding on the axle housing and puttin the clamp on the driveshaft __________________ i have too many damn car projects 99 x cab SOLD 02 trans am ws6 1953 bel air rat rod 1950 chevy 3800

01-16-2006, 09:33 AM	#4
tenntaco Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,076	I'm helping my brother with a SPOA on his samurai, so it's near the knuckles.

01-16-2006, 12:17 PM	#7
tenntaco Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,076	Yeah, perches. The kit he got uses a design that pretty much aligns itself using the stock bottom perches. I did notice that the first rear perch I welded on was slightly out of line. Basically if you were looking down at it, it is rotated very slightly in a counterclockwise direction. The top of the plate is parrallel with the others, so I figured that wouldn't be a big issue, as long as it's not bad enough to keep the new ubolts from bolting on. I guess I can straighten it up if I need to, though.

01-17-2006, 08:08 AM	#12
Boheefus BMFWIC Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: King George, VA Posts: 942	be sure to pull the seals sout or they will melt, like the other said, a little at a time will get the job done no problem __________________ (Flexion), 99tacx, BadBradHaz, DentedTacoma, hawaiianbro, jwbehm, rdtf, vanguard all love the cawk...I have proof. myspace

01-17-2006, 11:56 AM	#13
tenntaco Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,076	Well, no worries about that. The sami is on stands and the axles are laying on the other side of the garage. I would have never thought to take the axle seals out, but if they got messed up it's no biggy. I'm sure they're only a few bucks to replace.

01-20-2006, 12:23 AM	#14
tacokid1187 Veteran Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Newville, Pennsylvania Posts: 584	Unhook the batetry before begining your welds. Like someone said, the current can mess with electrical stuff mainly CPUs if not unhooked __________________ 1998 Tacoma X-tra Cab SR-5 TRD 3.4 V-6/5 spd S/C 285/75-16 Dueler M/T on TRD Ivans 2" RB BL w/ Gap Guards, Deaver 3-leaf, Bilstein 7100 SB's, Custom Bilstein 6100 Coilovers w/ Eibach Coils, AP UCA's, Poly Rack Bushings, Deck Plate, TRD Filter, LCE Rotors Hawk Pads, Optima Red Top, 04 Flares/Tail lights, Leer Shell, Pioneer CD Player, T4R Seats, Tweeter Housings and leather Steering Wheel, Custom Tube Bumper, Hella 500's, PIAA 004XT,

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