Posted By: onyxba
Welding axle tube ? - 02/24/10 07:56 PM
If tig welding axle tube to center section on a dana what rod is best for this application? Cast iron to steel is the question. Thanks Brian W.
Welding axle tube ?
Posted By: Moparnut426
Re: Welding axle tube ? - 02/24/10 08:01 PM
IIRC the center housing is cast steel, not cast iron. It should weld good with any mild steel rod.
Kasey
Kasey
Posted By: BigFish69
Re: Welding axle tube ? - 02/24/10 08:01 PM
nickle rod
Posted By: Bob_Coomer
Re: Welding axle tube ? - 02/24/10 08:14 PM
Nickle or stainless like a 304 filler will do the job..Id pre-heat the cast iron to 250-300 deg before welding and cool it down slow as possible.
Posted By: sshemi
Re: Welding axle tube ? - 02/24/10 08:17 PM
Do you really need to do it?
I would say, that if you dont plan to run it on a heavy car with lots of hp, forget about it.
It WILL end up crocked.
I would say, that if you dont plan to run it on a heavy car with lots of hp, forget about it.
It WILL end up crocked.
Posted By: jcc
Re: Welding axle tube ? - 02/24/10 08:50 PM
Quote:
Do you really need to do it?
I would say, that if you dont plan to run it on a heavy car with lots of hp, forget about it.
It WILL end up crocked.
Or why do you need to weld it?
Posted By: MR_P_BODY
Re: Welding axle tube ? - 02/24/10 09:01 PM
Quote:
nickle rod
Posted By: QWK_ENUF
Re: Welding axle tube ? - 02/24/10 09:20 PM
i used a mig and mild steel wire , just preheated the housing first
then the ends were put on
then the ends were put on
Posted By: RobX4406
Re: Welding axle tube ? - 02/24/10 09:30 PM
You weld it because the axle tube will twist at the big plug welds in the housing.
Pull a dana that was mounted with leafs and see if the two perches are mountedat same angle comparing to the pinion. Happens a lot that they twist up pretty good.
Pull a dana that was mounted with leafs and see if the two perches are mountedat same angle comparing to the pinion. Happens a lot that they twist up pretty good.
Posted By: mopowers
Re: Welding axle tube ? - 02/24/10 09:52 PM
Are the center sections cast steel, or cast iron? If they are cast steel, can't you just weld it with mild steel rod w/ some preheating?
Posted By: B G Racing
Re: Welding axle tube ? - 02/24/10 09:53 PM
I would not tig the tube to the housing.We usually mig it with a 70K tensile wire.It takes a lot of heat to penatrate the cast housing as well as the tube.We usually tig CM brackets and ends on the tubes.
Posted By: sshemi
Re: Welding axle tube ? - 02/24/10 09:54 PM
if i really had to do it i would do it with a stickwelder(sp)
Posted By: Moparnut426
Re: Welding axle tube ? - 02/24/10 10:00 PM
I agree with the rest of the other guys mig it. Make sure you spark test it to see if its cast steel or cast iron, cast iron will be fuzzy looking, and fan was out with short distance, cast steel will be very similat, or exactly like grinding a piece of plate steel. Pre heat, and burn it inn. Also It might not hurt to temperarilly weld up some braces to keep it from warpung in the outer ends. I usually triangulate some strap from outer ends, to the housing. I have welded up many of 4x4 housings this way.
Kasey
Kasey
Posted By: Ben Holt
Re: Welding axle tube ? - 02/24/10 10:24 PM
Quote:
if i really had to do it i would do it with a stickwelder(sp)
Bingo....that's our little secret, too.
Posted By: Sue
Re: Welding axle tube ? - 02/24/10 11:15 PM
Ben you ARC weld the tubes and not TIG them ??
Posted By: Ben Holt
Re: Welding axle tube ? - 02/24/10 11:17 PM
Depends on the housing. Cast Dana or 12 Bolt, stick. Ford or anything else for that matter, TIG.
The trick is the correct temperature and rod when using the ARC
The trick is the correct temperature and rod when using the ARC
Posted By: dannysbee
Re: Welding axle tube ? - 02/24/10 11:31 PM
7018 is what I have used.
Posted By: sshemi
Re: Welding axle tube ? - 02/25/10 02:54 PM
thers no way in h/%# i would use the mig.
It will be prone to crack.
It will be prone to crack.
Posted By: dusturbd340W5
Re: Welding axle tube ? - 02/25/10 03:03 PM
I used a mig on mine and he had 0 problems so far.
Posted By: theclutcher
Re: Welding axle tube ? - 02/25/10 03:32 PM
Quote:
7018 is what I have used.
300+ preheat and one pass of 5/32.
slick and clean, no cracks.
ni rod ok too but more $$$
Posted By: Moparnut426
Re: Welding axle tube ? - 02/25/10 03:37 PM
7018 is one of the BEST rods out there, and its great for this application too. BUT 7018 is the number one most misused rods out there. If it isnt kept in a moisture free oven after a while it gets pretty bad, hard to start an arc, and will get porrosity pretty easily. I love that rod, but I also made a nice rod warmer out of an old fridge. It has a heat lamp in it is all, and the door seals up nice.
This would be the best for the application for sure.
Kasey
This would be the best for the application for sure.
Kasey
Posted By: B G Racing
Re: Welding axle tube ? - 02/25/10 04:14 PM
If it can be stick welded it can be Mig welded,unless someone knows a little secret that I don't know.What ever process,the important factor in any weld is the "heat effected zone".To rate this factor of heat transfer,stick welding,mig then tig being the lesser.With the constant development of mig process and technology there is not much that can't be welded by an adverage skilled person with a mig using the proper material and gases.
Posted By: theclutcher
Re: Welding axle tube ? - 02/25/10 04:50 PM
Main advantage of the stick electrode in this circumstance is the cleanliness issue of the joint to be welded imo.
the flux agents with 7018 help to minimize porosity that has the potential to occur from the dirt/oil residue that exists between the tube and the casting.
agree, the advancements with mig, ie gas mixes, metal core mixtures etc are greatly improving weld quality results.
the flux agents with 7018 help to minimize porosity that has the potential to occur from the dirt/oil residue that exists between the tube and the casting.
agree, the advancements with mig, ie gas mixes, metal core mixtures etc are greatly improving weld quality results.
Posted By: B G Racing
Re: Welding axle tube ? - 02/25/10 05:17 PM
Quote:
Main advantage of the stick electrode in this circumstance is the cleanliness issue of the joint to be welded imo.
the flux agents with 7018 help to minimize porosity that has the potential to occur from the dirt/oil residue that exists between the tube and the casting.
agree, the advancements with mig, ie gas mixes, metal core mixtures etc are greatly improving weld quality results.
Valid point We usually work with new or clean housings and clean any residue in the preheating and cleaning process before welding.If oil and other contaminates are present even with stick welding it will effect the weld.Usually using a spray cleaner and heat will cause the contaminates to migrate from the area to be welded. 
Posted By: 4nhemi
Re: Welding axle tube ? - 02/25/10 05:47 PM
Hello Brian how's the cuda coming along? As for the axel tube to housing preheat and weld with an econo-cast99 call coastal welding and they'll help you out. 
Charlie
Charlie