Technical Anyone Weld A Steering Shaft?

So i reversed a Corvair steering box now the only one i could find was the long shaft one. Everything is done except the shaft need's to be welded and lathed back to 5/8. Has anyone done something like this before? I'd prefer just running a factory short shaft but none locally around and the one i found online is not in budget for me at this time.

 

I was always taught if you weld all the way around a shaft, it will break beside the weld. I would sleeve it and pin both sides after welding it, if it was me.

 

There is NO way to do that SAFELY with welding involved.
Sure, I could weld it and so could a hundred other guys, but when it breaks, the welder will be the first one called to the witness stand.

 

They want $60 for one

http://californiacorvairparts.com/index.php?id_product=5114&controller=product

 

You couldn't get it welded and turned back down on a lath for $60.

 

They have whole used boxes for $80

http://californiacorvairparts.com/index.php?id_product=3834&controller=product

later kb

 

Or if you are married to that one have both shafts splined or just the one in the box to the same spline size you have on the end. I've had shafts splined by a guy on Hamb and it came out great. Long answer to "welding" I wouldn't weld.

Pat

 

Ooops! I welded one in the first hot rod I ever built (a "T" bucket with an early Dodge hemi) in 1965. I guess I didn't know any better then. Hopefully enough time has passed so I won't be called as a witness.

 

I guess I would be a first witness also.......

 

^^^^^
me too.....

 

As I have said before when it comes to safety “just how many dollars is your life worth in dollars” or “would you trust your life to your welder”

 

I had this one done by a local race team. This has been getting done for decades. My steering gear was hollow so he turned down a piece of solid double DD and plug welded it and welded around the joint also.

 

I’ve done it and it works , solid round stock inside diameter ,before you slide shafts onto rod , drill hole on each shaft , weld shafts together leaving a 1/8 inch gap to penetrate shafts and rod .. Rosette weld the shaft holes to the solid bar and you will be good to go....

 

Here is another way that looks like it would work with what you have.

 

I've cut and welded a few. Sleave it and rosette weld the sleeve. People have been swapping the stub ends for different splines and tapers onto steering shafts forever.

 

If you don’t trust your welding skills don’t weld it. As for trusting my life with my welding,most definitely.
Sounds like the $60 option is a great deal if in doubt.

 

I'm sure it could be done but finding another alternative would probably give you more piece of mind.
I have turned down a 3/4" DD And inserted it into the length of a (alternately cross drilled then plug welded) stock Model A shaft. The result was a shaft much stronger than the stock A shaft, but that is a little different scenario.

 

It can be done and done well, it's been done by many over the years including myself however if anything ever breaks in the steering long after you have sold the machine the line of lawyers waiting to give you a colonoscopy with be longer than the beer line at a swap meet on a hot day. Don't do it and if the part is $60 that is a no brainer.

 

Most on this forum could probably weld that steering shaft.
Do they have the understanding of what’s involved. Some, (from reading other threads) obviously not.
The fact you are asking, tells us that you are in the category of those that do not.
I have access to the skills required, but would never consider it for a road going vehicle.
Over here I believe that we actually aren’t allowed to.
So to answer your question, no, don’t weld, wait until the part fits into your budget.

Or read post 3 again.

.

 

I have welded everything from a broken heart to the crack of dawn. If you are an accomplished welder you can weld it. Otherwise spend the 60 bucks and don't worry about it the first time you head down a mountain pass.

 

I think I've said this before , think about all the critical parts that many have welded in the construction of a vehicle , yet mention a steering shaft or steering arm and everybody panics , of course the bracket that attaches the steering box , the drag link and tie Rod end bungs , the spring mounts, radius rods, cripes , the mounts that the engine attaches to , that's all fine .... Im afraid its a Silly distinction.....

 

You never want to weld steering components. Cough up the green stuff. Why would you want to put your life and that of others in jeopardy for $60?

 

My dad did it with his buzz box Lincoln in he 70's helping a friend put in a 455 in a '56 Chevy PU. Never heard an issue with it afterwards, guess it comes down to the person pulling the trigger or pushing the rod?

 

It can be correctly welded and xrayed . Is it worth what it would cost to have it center bored , pinned , turned into a bevel , tig welded and xrayed , HELL NO . Buy a new or used quality USA made box and be done . I have welded many shafts and extensions turning on large HP , electric motors not one issue . I’m sure the motor is generating more torque than you can produce turning a steering wheel . The problem comes from hitting pot holes , how much force does this create , no way to know and I don’t want to be the one that determines the pot hole created more force than my weld can stand .

 

Have it welded if you are afraid(not scared/you know what I mean). IF I had a tig rig and you were close by I would do it for you. Grind both ends to a point and start from there. Don't hot rod it and keep it clean.
All this 'don't weld steering components etc.' is from folks that don't know enough about welding and metal. Many just repeat what they have heard. They don't mean any harm they are just repeating what they have heard.
Steel is steel and welding is just putting molten steel in a place where it wasn't to begin with. Once it cools its just as strong as the base material/maybe stronger.
It ain't braing surgery!
6sally6

 

We machine a press fit sleeve

Aligns the shaft
This one hasn’t been welded yet

Don’t know if this helps in your situation

 

I grew up in the hot rod world. But I left for years, and messed with off road trucks (rock crawlers). I have welded steering stuff (shafts, not the critical stuff) for years. These rigs turn 40" tall tires with extremely high traction tires at a dead stop. I have never had a failure.
That said, we didn't exceed 45 mph with them. But the stresses were MUCH higher.
How good of a welder are you? That's how you decide.

 

Just saw this.
Southeast Gasser 50 chevy wheel stander project

 

Grind it down to a double D, then use a connector. If the weld breaks then, you still have the Double D on the shaft to keep it from slipping.

 

Is it cheaper to do all the work or buy the part, and do you have all the tools needed.....?