the caliber of welder that would guarantee x-ray quality welding on a component that has life depending upon it would be way more expensive than buying one of the proper configuration in the first place
I narrowed a ford truck axle for mine. bolted it to a jig, 2 x 2 heavy wall box with ubolts, cut it. Beveled edges good. slid together and tacked then welded with stick welder cranked up pretty high for good penetration. Moved around to minimise warpage welded about 3/4 inch at a time. I also cut a piece of 3/8 plate about 10 inches long and beveled and welded inside the channel of the axel on the back side where it wouldn't show. Saw it done for a Dart AFX in magazine. With that said, I don't think I would mig it. Unless you have a big machine designed to do heavy welding. Another plus of stick is I used high tensile rods. You could cut it bevel the edges and get it lined up a couple tacks with your mig and take it to a welding shop or a friend with a good stick welder and have him do it. If you bring it all set up and bolted to your box jig it sould be a pretty quick job. I don't think it would cost very much for that. Might be ok to tig, but that is not very familiar to me, but the experts here might chime in and voice their opinion on tig.
Cutting out a section and making one welded joint in the center? Yes,it's a forged axle and it can be welded.The axle can be plated with through bolts for a safety feature.The stress in the center is less than at the ends.The question is,should you do it? I don't know .
It can be done.....I have one that has been on the road for 20+ years. It was done with a stick machine by a highly qualified welder though. I would NOT try to mig it...
They're forged, not heat treated and can be welded. I would NOT however, do that - buy one the right length.
They are made of excellent metal to work with. I would not be afraid to run one. Like was said, not heat treated, and most importantly, there is very little stress at the center. The center is the best place for cutting. It's been done for longer than most of us have been around. Anybody got pics of one that broke? I didn't think so. i'd rather run that than a "possible offshore made" cheapo aftermarket tube axle. They look like crap as far as strength.
Yeah, I have to agree. I'd rather run a properly welded original than a cast reproduction. Tube axles have the kingpin slug welded right at the highest stress area of the axle. Are they known for failure??? The durability comes from the weldors skill.
I agree it can be done safely, providing you have a competent welder. It is forged and very amenable to being welded, and has been stated, the stress in the middle is less than anyplace else along the axle. For those who suggest buying a suitable axle.......just what would you suggest? All the tube axle I have seen advertised have the king pin bosses welded on...at a VERY high stress location and the others are typically cast material. Cast can be ok , depending on the nature of the metal (cast steel or cast iron?)..but I have to think forged is best. Ray
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