Posted By: Von
Welding brace on 8 3/4, without a jig - 08/04/09 01:49 PM
Is it mandatory to have your housing in a jig when welding a brace?
Have any of you put a brace on without a jig and it not come out warped? I'll stitch it, let it cool, etc.
Better to have the rearend together when welding the brace on?
Any tips to help with the process?
Thanks in advance for any help.
PS, yeah I know the 8 3/4 is junk, dont need to get into that discussion.
Posted By: mr2performance
Re: Welding brace on 8 3/4, without a jig - 08/04/09 04:43 PM
It definitely will move, I don't care how you weld it, weld it on then check it with an alignment bar, if crooked cut 0ff ends and reweld Mike
Posted By: Moparnut426
Re: Welding brace on 8 3/4, without a jig - 08/04/09 04:50 PM
I have welded them on with the center in, no gears or bearings in it, just the center, I then used a chain, or come along and use it like a truss, put tension on it in the oposite direction the housing will flex, and you chould be fine. Mine moved only less than a 32nd of an inch. I welded it completely, and let it self cool, dont quench it, just let it stand. Should be ok, but I would definatly check it after it has cooled, and you take the truss off.
Kasey
Posted By: Stanton
Re: Welding brace on 8 3/4, without a jig - 08/04/09 06:25 PM
A simple brace would be easy enough to build ...
A large enough piece of I-beam from a scrap metal place. Set the housing face down on it. Use U-bolts on either end to cinch down the ends. Probably wouldn't hurt to even put a 1/16" preload on each end !!
Posted By: LA360
Re: Welding brace on 8 3/4, without a jig - 08/07/09 02:42 AM
Some take short cuts and get away with, most don't. Have it done properly and save yourself headaches in the long run.
AL....
Posted By: MR_P_BODY
Re: Welding brace on 8 3/4, without a jig - 08/07/09 02:58 AM
I've welded a few back braces on, if you do short welds
jumping around so you dont heat it too much it works
fine... if your going to shorten the housing, put the
ends on last.... JMO
Posted By: Thumperdart
Re: Welding brace on 8 3/4, without a jig - 08/07/09 04:32 AM
I had my friend do mine and he used a jig and his welds look flawless.......if that matters. How much can it really cost to do it right and leave out the guess work?
Posted By: 77DragracerR/T
Re: Welding brace on 8 3/4, without a jig - 08/07/09 01:08 PM
I welded mine assembled in the car and when i changed the axles everything slid in & out fine.That's all that matters for me.Took my time welding and didn't allow any heat to build up.Maybe I'm just lucky? Now transmissions not so lucky
Posted By: Cab_Burge
Re: Welding brace on 8 3/4, without a jig - 08/07/09 04:04 PM
Start by welding one inch on the top of one side and then switch to the other side and do a inch on the bottom side of the brace, alternate back and forth. Take your time and take a few breaks to let it cool so you don't get a bunh of heat on one side, top or bottom
Having a jig is the best way but a guy has to do what he has to do with, in most cases
Posted By: d7cook
Re: Welding brace on 8 3/4, without a jig - 08/07/09 04:53 PM
I don't think having a jig installed when welding on a backbrace will do anything. The welding puts stress in the housing whether a jig is involved or not. Stitch welding it and moving around a lot with lots of cooling time minimizes the stress. Or burn it on there and weld the ends on last.
thats for sure the right way to do it. but I have welded them with the axels and center section in. was a low HP bracket car grant you. but it worked more than once and is still working. I am sure if we pulled it down and checked it with a jig it would be out. 