Welding on a rear axel?

When u weld on a rear axel do u have the clean out the inside at all? My dad will weld some new pads to a 55 chevy truck axel. He took it apart and told me to clean it inside but is it neccesary? I spent about 30 mins trying to clean the inside but didnt get anywhere. So do u need to clean the inside of an axel thats apart and about to have new pads welded on??

 

No. Not if you're welding to the outside.

 

I've welded on more then a few rearends and have never cleaned 'em out, I just make sure the outside is cleaned and prepped. Just be ready for a smoke show...

 

+1 on the smoke show. Your dad probably doesn't want any bonfires inside the axle housing while he is welding on it.


It wouldn't hurt to clean it but I've never done it on any I welded on. Just don't use brake cleaner per the previous posts on that.

Lately when I want to get oil or grease off parts I scrub it down with "Oil Eater" and then pressure wash it off.
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What about pulling the axles and bearings out? No chance of screwing them up while welding unless you're right on top of them with the weld?

 

Some years ago we put a triangulated four bar on an 8 inch Ford. Cleaned the outside, did not dis***emble anything. When it was finished, went immediately to the quick lube and had them pump it out and install fresh lube. MANY trouble free miles since then.

 

the whole hting is apart. All the axels and bearings are out the pumpkin is out also

 

Just don't set around and sniff said smoke show!! You'll be fine!

 

Better put the axles and pumpkin back in it if you are going to weld on the tubes. The heat from the weld will cause a "drawing" or "pulling" effect that will in turn cause distortion and misalignment. Even with the thing re***embled, I'd wrap a water soaked towel or rag around the tube, near the point of the weld, to act as a heat sink.