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Welding steering shaft method
My steering shafts are ready for welding and there are several schools of thought on the welding method.
What I intended on doing was about 2.5" of shaft inside a neat fit seamless tube and doing (2) 3/8" plug welds, at 90 degrees of each other with the TIG, and welding around the tube end. I have read its not a good practise to weld around the end and the plug welds should be sufficient. Factory steering shafts are welded around the end of the tube etc, but they may heat the whole shaft up...? At any rate I will crack test and maybe even ultrasound the parts for safety, but am interested in hearing thoughts on this topic. |
Ant:
This is a real critical welding application. I would avoid welding around the end as it will work harden the area being welded and weaken it around the entire circumfrence of the shaft as it joins the outer tube. The plug welds are good but I would definately use more than 2 of them. An alternative would be to mill 4 slots, 2 in a row 180 degrees apart approx 1/8" wide and 1" long and insert the shaft and then weld the entire length of the slot, be sure to get good weld penetration. Yes! the 60's did rock! |
Welding steering shafts
Rick,
Your idea is good, as much the same as you I dont like the plugs only! They are bringing in legislation that steering will have to be splined. With factory welding around ends of shafts I guess everything is heated and heat treated etc, and Joe Bloggs doesnt have the expertise etc. It takes a lot to break a weld, but I think its more fatique/stress than brute strength that could cause a failure! I could re-make the lower intermediate shaft with splines, but I am still going to have to weld the upper column as I have incorporated a mid 80's Mitusbishi Mirage (and yes its the only Jap part in the whole car) this has a collapsible part which I have to extend with seamless tube, so its unavoidable not to weld these parts. |
Check this colapsable steering shaft out:
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/xq/asp...qx/Product.htm Clois |
Welding steering
Rick,
Your the first to make a comment on my signature comment 60's, good stuff! With your welding recommendation are you talking (4) slots at each end of shaft, or (4) slots total? Clois, I have used a collapsible shaft from dare I say it Mitusbishi Mirage, lengthened it with 3/16" seamless tube, the collapse part is same as Speedway motors show! The beauty of the Mirage column is the indicator mechansism is period looking, and the column has a needle roller bearing lower end, and ball bearing top end. |
AJ
That is good to know about the Mitusbishi because I would think they could be bought at a local salvage for cheap. Clois |
Ant:
Sorry I've been out of town for a week. Paying my respect to the Fish Gods. I was referring to 4 slots total. About 1" long, 2 length wise, spaced about 1 inch apart and the duplicated in a 180 degree plane. Opposite sided of the shaft. |
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