axle tube welding

[double R]

I'm getting ready to shorten a frontend axle for my jeep project...the inner "c" knuckle needs to be welded back on to the tube...can I use a 220v mig machine?...will that be powerful enough? most people recommend stick but i don't know how to stick weld...thanks

[Dan]

Re: axle tube welding

Originally posted by double R
I'm getting ready to shorten a frontend axle for my jeep project...the inner "c" knuckle needs to be welded back on to the tube...can I use a 220v mig machine?...will that be powerful enough? most people recommend stick but i don't know how to stick weld...thanks

What machine do you have? Any chance you can give us a picture of the joint that your wanting to weld? To be honest with you I m a little concerned about you welding this joint up since your having to ask this question. Just thinking about your safety and the safety of others, because I don t know your welding skill level.

[R. Nelson]

Re: axle tube welding

Originally posted by double R
I'm getting ready to shorten a frontend axle for my jeep project...the inner "c" knuckle needs to be welded back on to the tube...can I use a 220v mig machine?...will that be powerful enough? most people recommend stick but i don't know how to stick weld...thanks

I to would like to see the joint in question and the type of welder you plan to use.

[Guest]

Are you prepared to be out in the middle of nowhere, and have it snap on you??? If not, have a qualified weldor do it for you. Axles are not a simple thing to weld. Be safe, always.

[double R]

the welds will be ground off and the "C" removed. the tube will then be cut and the "C" rewelded...

[Roger]

Could use MIG welder or stick welder for welding togeather your axle tube assembly. Easy weld for a pro but not the place to learn welding. Must also deal with alignment problems. Check angle before and after welding with angle finder seeing that both sides retain same caster.

[morpheus]

Re: axle tube welding

I'm in the middle of doing this myself. It's doable with a 220V welder assuming the machine is big enough. I'm gonna use a friends 250 amp ESAB to do the final weld.

How thick is the wall on your axle tube ? mine is 1/2" thick ...

- jack

[double R]

Re: Re: axle tube welding

Originally posted by morpheus
How thick is the wall on your axle tube ? mine is 1/2" thick ...- jack

it's 1/2" thick as well...it's a 3/4 ton dana 44 front...

[morpheus]

same as my 44. I shortened one side and am trying to rotate the knuckle on the other. I've ground and ground but can't get it twist ...

- jack

[Dan]

Re: Re: Re: axle tube welding

Originally posted by double R


it's 1/2" thick as well...it's a 3/4 ton dana 44 front...

Definately sounds like a job for a 250+ amp wirefeeder- Spray transfer or a Gas shielded fluxcore wire.

However, in the end I think I would probably use TIG . I d have to rent the machine though, because my Econotig couldn t handle the job.