The Jalopy Journal

Tattedkat · 07-07-2012, 08:47 PM

Trusted a Helper Friend of Mine To BARELY Drill Out The Misaligned Holes on My Smaller Steering U Joint. He Made a MESS! Now Its Either By a New One for Like $50! Or Weld The Holes Up, Smooth out, And Redrill THE CORRECT WAY so that the Pin Will Fit. Is It Possible to Weld on The Smaller Steering UJ's, Or Am I just Gonna Have To Fork The Cash over and Buy a New one? Thanks.

P.S. Its a 3/4" DD to a 3/4" Round Smooth, No Splines.

F&J · 07-07-2012, 08:54 PM

If it is steel, not iron, I'd weld it for sure. These days with all the crappy parts, it might be cast iron?

Mig welding will leave a hardened spot, but a new sharp chainsaw file works nice to dress out the hole, if you just weld part of it up.

Wet a rag and wind it through the joint X to keep the heat away from the joint cups.

**nailhead29A** · 07-07-2012, 09:06 PM

If its a good quality joint it will be forged or machined from billet so tap a peice of brass the same size as the steering shaft into where the steering shaft fits to avoid having to try and file the inside of the hole , then Just quietly weld it up with the mig, a little at a time to keep the heat down and avoid shagging the u-joint, pull out the brass plug,clean up and redrill.

kscarguy · 07-07-2012, 09:08 PM

If it is on the DD side of the joint, you might consider inserting the DD shaft into the joint and making plug welds. I've welded steering joints to the shafts on several cars with thousands of miles and no issues. You want good weld penatration, but also want to avoid overheating the bearings. I fully agree with wrapping it with a wet rag. Let it cool slowly.

kscarguy · 07-07-2012, 09:11 PM

My advice...don't let your friend work on your brakes.

Phil1934 · 07-07-2012, 09:11 PM

Why not drill a new hole 90 degrees from that?

RodStRace · 07-07-2012, 09:15 PM

Go over to your trusted friend. Remove 50 bucks from him.
This way there are 2 lessons learned:
1. You don't trust him with your life
2. He doesn't eff up parts

Tattedkat · 07-07-2012, 09:17 PM

I Could, But Wont It Look Shitty to The Eye with That big Ugly Hole?

65standard · 07-07-2012, 09:24 PM

They look like weld on steering u-joints, so weld them on and forget about the bolts.

willie57 · 07-07-2012, 10:36 PM

spend the money buy a new one. what is your life worth.

cjo13 · 07-07-2012, 10:41 PM

By the looks of it I would use the Wet Rag and weld it also.. Just make sure you have proper heat and penetration.

CJO13

Tattedkat · 07-08-2012, 12:54 AM

After Some Research, Its A "Sweet" Brand Weld On 3/4" Smooth X 3/4" Smooth U-Joint. Although The Rod is a DD Shaped Rod, I Dont Think Ill Have a Problem After I Solidly Weld Both Pieces Together with a Flux Arc Stainless. Ill Keep It Cool at all times.

Don's Hot Rods · 07-08-2012, 01:41 AM

Put your ground clamp on the side you are welding so current doesn't have to pass through the needle bearings.

Don

Hellbentrodder · 07-08-2012, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tattedkat

After Some Research, Its A "Sweet" Brand Weld On 3/4" Smooth X 3/4" Smooth U-Joint. Although The Rod is a DD Shaped Rod, I Dont Think Ill Have a Problem After I Solidly Weld Both Pieces Together with a Flux Arc Stainless. Ill Keep It Cool at all times.

Why are you going to use stainless? Unless you have 309 ss, there is a good chance it will crack.

Don's Hot Rods · 07-08-2012, 02:02 AM

Even though you are welding it I would still drill a hole all the way through and put an appropriate sized roll pin in it just for giggles.

Don

Tattedkat · 07-08-2012, 02:45 AM

What About Manganese Hellbent?

TUMBLEWEED GARAGE · 07-08-2012, 04:28 AM

If you are going to weld it, remove the u-joint. Keep the joint end as cool as possible. You won't have any problems.

kaspar · 07-08-2012, 04:59 AM

Put the u-joint in a bucket/cup of water and weld it, much easier than taking it apart. A friend tig-welded this Flaming River u-joint for me just the other day.

BRENT · 07-08-2012, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Why not drill a new hole 90 degrees from that?

Like Phil1934 said!

I would drill it 90 degrees from your current location that is misaligned. I would then weld up the holes. Easy fix!

Brent

oj · 07-08-2012, 07:03 AM

Get a universal joint made for the double d shaft - they are not made to go together anyway esp if the holes are screwed.
The double d will come loose as there isn't anything for it to seat into and bite against. You could weld the universal to the shaft - as another has shown - only one side needs to be able to be disassembled.

07-07-2012, 08:47 PM	#1
Tattedkat Grenade Inspector Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Inland Empire, California Posts: 155	Can You Weld In Holes On a Steering U-Joint? Trusted a Helper Friend of Mine To BARELY Drill Out The Misaligned Holes on My Smaller Steering U Joint. He Made a MESS! Now Its Either By a New One for Like $50! Or Weld The Holes Up, Smooth out, And Redrill THE CORRECT WAY so that the Pin Will Fit. Is It Possible to Weld on The Smaller Steering UJ's, Or Am I just Gonna Have To Fork The Cash over and Buy a New one? Thanks. P.S. Its a 3/4" DD to a 3/4" Round Smooth, No Splines. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Tattedkat; 07-07-2012 at 08:53 PM.

07-07-2012, 08:54 PM	#2
F&J Old School HAMBer Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: CT Posts: 8,032	Re: Can You Weld In Holes On a Steering U-Joint? If it is steel, not iron, I'd weld it for sure. These days with all the crappy parts, it might be cast iron? Mig welding will leave a hardened spot, but a new sharp chainsaw file works nice to dress out the hole, if you just weld part of it up. Wet a rag and wind it through the joint X to keep the heat away from the joint cups.

07-07-2012, 09:06 PM	#3
nailhead29A Alliance Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: New Zealand/ Western Australia Posts: 564	Re: Can You Weld In Holes On a Steering U-Joint? If its a good quality joint it will be forged or machined from billet so tap a peice of brass the same size as the steering shaft into where the steering shaft fits to avoid having to try and file the inside of the hole , then Just quietly weld it up with the mig, a little at a time to keep the heat down and avoid shagging the u-joint, pull out the brass plug,clean up and redrill.

07-07-2012, 09:08 PM	#4
kscarguy Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: St Charles, Missouri Posts: 833	Re: Can You Weld In Holes On a Steering U-Joint? If it is on the DD side of the joint, you might consider inserting the DD shaft into the joint and making plug welds. I've welded steering joints to the shafts on several cars with thousands of miles and no issues. You want good weld penatration, but also want to avoid overheating the bearings. I fully agree with wrapping it with a wet rag. Let it cool slowly.

07-07-2012, 09:11 PM	#5
kscarguy Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: St Charles, Missouri Posts: 833	Re: Can You Weld In Holes On a Steering U-Joint? My advice...don't let your friend work on your brakes.

07-07-2012, 09:11 PM	#6
Phil1934 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Ellijay, GA Posts: 2,169	Re: Can You Weld In Holes On a Steering U-Joint? Why not drill a new hole 90 degrees from that?

07-07-2012, 09:15 PM	#7
RodStRace Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Chino Valley Posts: 1,800	Re: Can You Weld In Holes On a Steering U-Joint? Go over to your trusted friend. Remove 50 bucks from him. This way there are 2 lessons learned: 1. You don't trust him with your life 2. He doesn't eff up parts __________________ don't carve out a wooden wrench just 'cause it will be lighter and you have the wood on hand.

07-07-2012, 09:17 PM	#8
Tattedkat Grenade Inspector Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Inland Empire, California Posts: 155	Re: Can You Weld In Holes On a Steering U-Joint? I Could, But Wont It Look Shitty to The Eye with That big Ugly Hole?

07-07-2012, 09:24 PM	#9
65standard Grenade Inspector Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Coal City, IL Posts: 385	Re: Can You Weld In Holes On a Steering U-Joint? They look like weld on steering u-joints, so weld them on and forget about the bolts. __________________ Tony Nicholas

07-07-2012, 10:36 PM	#10
willie57 Grenade Inspector Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: wisconsin Posts: 383	Re: Can You Weld In Holes On a Steering U-Joint? spend the money buy a new one. what is your life worth. __________________ " when I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep--- not screaming like the passengers in his car."

07-07-2012, 10:41 PM	#11
cjo13 Grenade Inspector Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: SD Posts: 154	Re: Can You Weld In Holes On a Steering U-Joint? By the looks of it I would use the Wet Rag and weld it also.. Just make sure you have proper heat and penetration. CJO13 __________________ Dad, You mean there was something other than a Chevy to Drive?

07-08-2012, 12:54 AM	#12
Tattedkat Grenade Inspector Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Inland Empire, California Posts: 155	Re: Can You Weld In Holes On a Steering U-Joint? After Some Research, Its A "Sweet" Brand Weld On 3/4" Smooth X 3/4" Smooth U-Joint. Although The Rod is a DD Shaped Rod, I Dont Think Ill Have a Problem After I Solidly Weld Both Pieces Together with a Flux Arc Stainless. Ill Keep It Cool at all times. Attached Thumbnails

07-08-2012, 01:41 AM	#13
Don's Hot Rods Old School HAMBer Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: florida Posts: 5,786	Re: Can You Weld In Holes On a Steering U-Joint? Put your ground clamp on the side you are welding so current doesn't have to pass through the needle bearings. Don

07-08-2012, 02:02 AM	#15
Don's Hot Rods Old School HAMBer Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: florida Posts: 5,786	Re: Can You Weld In Holes On a Steering U-Joint? Even though you are welding it I would still drill a hole all the way through and put an appropriate sized roll pin in it just for giggles. Don

07-08-2012, 02:45 AM	#16
Tattedkat Grenade Inspector Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Inland Empire, California Posts: 155	Re: Can You Weld In Holes On a Steering U-Joint? What About Manganese Hellbent?

07-08-2012, 04:28 AM	#17
TUMBLEWEED GARAGE Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: UPLAND / MOJAVE, CA. Posts: 1,215	Re: Can You Weld In Holes On a Steering U-Joint? If you are going to weld it, remove the u-joint. Keep the joint end as cool as possible. You won't have any problems. __________________ Julie is home!!!! *Prospect, Goldchainers c.c.*

07-08-2012, 04:59 AM	#18
kaspar Grenade Inspector Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Shitsville, Sweden Posts: 181	Re: Can You Weld In Holes On a Steering U-Joint? Put the u-joint in a bucket/cup of water and weld it, much easier than taking it apart. A friend tig-welded this Flaming River u-joint for me just the other day. __________________ Lead Kings CC

07-08-2012, 07:03 AM	#20
oj Alliance Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Berryville, Virginia Posts: 3,695	Re: Can You Weld In Holes On a Steering U-Joint? Get a universal joint made for the double d shaft - they are not made to go together anyway esp if the holes are screwed. The double d will come loose as there isn't anything for it to seat into and bite against. You could weld the universal to the shaft - as another has shown - only one side needs to be able to be disassembled. __________________ *'Molon Labe'*

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