I have some tubing on a roll cage that is already painted. There is a small <1/2" gap on about 1/3 of the circumference where a cross bar runs across and intersects a long straight run. Tubing is 1.75" OD Due to the purpose of the bar, I am not worried about the gap from a structrual standpoint. The bar was added to hold some things. Does anyone have a good way to fill the gap besides grinding and welding? It would be a very tight out of position weld anyway. I know I can come up with something, but usually someone on here has a really simple and practical way to do things. A way that would become obvious after I tried to do it myself. I want something that could stand up to the area being hose and bucket washed. It won't be under pressure. Thanks for any help, John
No! Aboslutely Not! No Filler! If you have a piece of steel tubing and it is part of a rollbar then it has to be welded! plain and simple. And a less than a 1/2" gap is unacceptable, replace that piece of tubing. You are using a welder, it is not a calking gun. Some gaps are unavoidable - the nature of joining some pieces together will require a gap - but all gaps are to be welded to give integrity to the structure.
That's like glueing 2 lug nuts on the wheel to make it look like all5 are holding it on. You just DO NOT do it. Make it right.
It's a nonstructural joint. It's an extra bar used to hold gauges, steering column, etc... I used it instead of tabbing out for column drop. There's a hoop about 17" in front of it that ties all side bars together.
May have answered your own question there. If it's holding your steering column I'd be wanting it welded.
You don't want to weld as it is painted but if you fill it you would still have to paint over the filler so just weld it. Technically no grinding, but I would fill it with a patch, sand, then run a bead.
I once saw a picnic table held together with mashed potatoes (scout camp) looked good but probably not a recommended way to repair
You could use the kit they use for the door bars to swing out,use a pin in both sides ,it is strong and you could remove it if needed... Steve
You would have to check the rule book for the organization that runs the events the car should run in but I'd have to think that any piece that is welded into a roll cage is then considered a structural part of said roll cage. I don't think a pookie fix will fly in this case.
Of course that's exactly what I was thinking, that why I wasn't going to ask. Hey guys, failed tech because my roll cage isn't welded properly. Problem is I've already painted it and assembled the car. Anybody know of some good bubble gum I can fool the tech inspectors with because welding in there now is going to be a real ass ache. See I don't want to know that ^^^^^, because then this would be another thread that makes me want to set myself on fire.
WTF filler on a roll bar joint not weld!!!! This guy sounds like he's tired of living!!!! Do it Properly, you'd have to paint the filler in any case, and if it were me I would really appreciate a steering column attatched to something solid.
I'll probably end up welding it It's not a racer, won't be inspected, but it's better to be safe than sorry.
Even if you do not plan on racing it, the next owner might, and if it actually makes it through tech with your bubble gum patch, and it fails in a wreck, it could hurt or kill the person who thought he had a roll cage...Even if you do not plan on selling it, do a search, this forum is full of heartache of guys having to sell their ride for one reason or another...or full of happy when someone actually offered a price that they were willing to part with it for....It happens.
by a pack of bazoka joe bubble gum , chew the shit out of it , stick it in your crack and read the comic that comes with it , is this is even funnier than the sunday comics , hells bells man
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