weld in steering joint ?

hey guys i just bought some sweet weld in steering joints i was wondering if you guys tack them in place then dissasemble the joint and finish weld the nuckle to the shaft then reassemble or do you just weld them and pray the grease stays in thanks bill

 

FULLY disassemble.

 

I weld about a 1/4" at a time, letting it cool in between welds. Never had a problem.

 

I have found pulling the colume out about 2 to 3 inches. start at the rack or box and assemble to the firewall then slide the colume back into the last joint. I agree with the 1/4 weld/cool technique.

 

Make sure the ground is on the side you are welding. Don't let 100+ amps go through the joint

 

I cross drilled and pinned mine. 1/4" grade 8 bolt with vibration proof nut.

 

I like the cross drill also. Plus I trust a bolt over my weld any day, lol. Just dont tell my customers. Also I have seen the joints wrapped in a wet rag, and left to cool on there own. Thats my $.02

 

You wrote this?????And you are in business???Please stop!

 

I imerse the joint in water & leave the portion to be welded above the water. This requires some set-up but protects the bearings in the joint.

 

Thanks Bill. Not pretty but it worked well. Joint stayed cold.

 

i have always used double d and splined joints. what is the benefit of weld in joints?

 

U joint was mated to the end of a '41 column 3/4" round tube. No splines or DD on that end.

 

I had a good welder do mine then I drilled them and drove a roll pin throught the shaft n joint

 

If you have a 3/4 SOLID ( not tube ) round column, mill or simply grind down the opposing sides to make it a double D

 

I seriously pity your customers.


ALWAYS Disassemble!

 

Damn! roundvalley, your shop is way to clean. I have a couple friends with mills and they DD them for me.

 

Ford column shafts are heavy walled enough to be double d'd..Putting a bolt through may seem like safety but its really a lot weaker than ANY other method..

 

or you can get someone on the hamb to machine you a solid steering shaft with a double D or splines, the horn wire isn't going to go through the u joint anyhow.

 

I do the water method.

 

I soak old cut blue jean rags in water just so if they start steaming you get the idea to chill. I was tought that by an old timer that rebuilt tractors.

 

Do Not weld steering joints - this from Borgeson's website:

 

knew that was coming.

I weldem, use water, and notch the end to be welded so the weld itself is curved around the shaft. Doesnt take much and its hard to see.