Does anyone know what the front sway bar on an s-10 is made of? Is it a material that I can weld on? I need a piece of 1" shaft and this is perfect if I can use it.
It's probably 4130,4140, or similar. Yes,it can be welded, BUT you risk the welds being brittle depending on how fast it cools.
Probably 8620 or a similar spring steel. Spring steel does not like to be welded. It loses its temper. Chris
From the HAMB metallurgist. A sway bar is most likely not heat treated. Also it is probably a low-alloy steel. Therefore it can be welded and no problems.
Try a good industrial supply store , get a piece of 1" drill rod or cold roll . They are not that costly.
Well, I tried welding it when I got home. It welded real good and when it cooled off, I started twisting it to see what would happen. It is brittle. It pulled pieces of the sway bar out with the weld, so now I have a tapered piece of 1" stock. I will be getting a piece of cold roll and using it. Thanks for all your replies, but it is not built out of normal steel, I think it was hardened on the outside by the way it pulled the pieces off.
Thats exactly what I expected to happen. I guess its time for me to post an intro so that people know to trust me when it comes to steel metallurgy. Edit: Intro added
If this is any help I have built a few and used 4140, heated and bent to shape then had them harden and drawn back to Rc 42-45. They have worked very well.
Drill Rod is O1,an Oil Hardening Tool Steel. Also not good for welding at home. Mild steel is a much better choice. Cold rolled,or hot rolled.
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