Rear shock tower welding ??

vwlownslo · Post by **vwlownslo** » Thu Jan 30, 2003 7:59 am

I am just curious as to what type of welder I would have to use to weld onto the rear shock towers?

I have heard that it's hard to make a strong weld on them... Is this true?

Are they cast or???

Any tips or info would be awsome guys....

BajaT4 · Post by **BajaT4** » Thu Jan 30, 2003 9:58 am

Stick would be best for strength. MIG tends to be weaker due to porosity of the weld.

Throw some 7018 in the oven at 300F to dry it out for about 20 minutes. Then, grab your right angle grinder and clean up both surfaces to be welded. Weld the two base metals together.

[This message has been edited by BajaT4 (edited 01-30-2003).]

vwlownslo · Post by **vwlownslo** » Thu Jan 30, 2003 10:06 am

Whats 7018 a reference to? I'd assume that it's steal.....

Why put it in the oven?

Are the shock towers cast or?

INSAYN · Post by **INSAYN** » Thu Jan 30, 2003 6:44 pm

The rear shock towers, rear bearing carriers and the front trailing arms, spindles are made of German quality cast steel, and all weld just fine with the MIG. Cast iron is less refined than cast steel and is very brittle.

MIG weld away!

INSAYN

------------------
'74 Baja
'?? Tube framed Baja Project
www.blindchickenracing.com

vwlownslo · Post by **vwlownslo** » Thu Jan 30, 2003 7:01 pm

WOW, just weld it up like I would with normal, lets say steel tubing?

Is there anything I should consider for prep? Like grind the surface smooth...

I am just wondering, as I'd like to strengthen them up a bit!

CHEERS!

INSAYN · Post by **INSAYN** » Thu Jan 30, 2003 7:18 pm

Of course you will want to clean up the area with a grinder to get to fresh metal. You should do this with any welding. Mild steel tube will weld just fine to the shock tower, that is exactly how stock bug torsion housings are welded to a sandrail frame.

INSAYN

------------------
'74 Baja
'?? Tube framed Baja Project
www.blindchickenracing.com

vwlownslo · Post by **vwlownslo** » Thu Jan 30, 2003 7:26 pm

Awsome dude! thanks for your help guys!

Hot Wheels · Post by **Hot Wheels** » Thu Jan 30, 2003 11:08 pm

7018 is the part # of the welding rod to use. It is a stronger alloy to use than the rod you would normally buy. It is also a little hard to weld with, so heating up the rod makes it arc a little easier and flow better. The rod also has a tenancy to collect moisture, so the oven helps to dry it out and preheat the rod. The shock towers are cast and you will be welding mild steel to it most likly so the 7018 rod is a good choice. I am experimenting with some 99% nickle rod for cast iron welding. Heard its pretty good stuff but ive used the 7018 for years so we will see.

[This message has been edited by Hot Wheels (edited 01-30-2003).]

Brad · Post by **Brad** » Fri Jan 31, 2003 3:47 am

Shock towers yeah no probs weld away but I would steer clear of welding the stubs and stuff unless you know what you are doing. I just welded my front stub assembly to fit disc brakes and after much research decided that I needed to preheat it first so the heat draw was minimised and would not become brittle. It all worked fine and now I have discs on teh thing front end.
I have welded many shock towers, torsion tubes and never had one brake and they don't fit in the oven so I reckon you will be fine to go it cold.

INSAYN · Post by **INSAYN** » Fri Jan 31, 2003 10:06 am

Brad, I just welded up a set of lifted spindles this summer. They took the abuse of jumping the car on a homemade motorcycle track. http://www.blindchickenracing.com/How_t ... indles.htm

INSAYN

------------------
'74 Baja
'?? Tube framed Baja Project
www.blindchickenracing.com