Welding cast-iron?

HTOR · 12-18-2007, 02:20 AM

Suppose i wanted to weld a Carrier or Axle tube to housing,
what would be the best way of doing this?

glenno · 12-18-2007, 05:37 AM

Most opinions on this subject say it's a NO NO. If you heat up the cast it will weaken and crack. They say the cast needs to be heated to two or three hundred degrees in an oven before you should weld it. I don't really know. I did weld my axle tubes to my pumpkin on my old ford f-150 ten years ago before I knew it was a NO NO and I never had a problem. The truck has a dana 44 up front and I welded a solid bead all the way around. Would I do it again? Probably not. I've read that the factory welds are plenty strong so I wouldn't mess with them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HTOR

Suppose i wanted to weld a Carrier or Axle tube to housing,
what would be the best way of doing this?

**Matt Gertsch** · 12-18-2007, 08:16 AM

Preheat the work to 200 degrees, weld using high nickel rod or ER-70S6, post heat to 150-200 degrees and bury the work in warm sand or wrap a welding blanket around it. You'll want it to cool as slowly as possible. I've done this to cast and nodular iron and I know that it works. Preheat and postheat are the key.

JJs99TJ · 12-18-2007, 10:48 AM

here's a previous thread of welding axle tubes, it can be done:

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f37/tips-welding-axle-tubes-442479/

Ryanpowell167 · 12-18-2007, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Gertsch

Preheat the work to 200 degrees, weld using high nickel rod or ER-70S6, post heat to 150-200 degrees and bury the work in warm sand or wrap a welding blanket around it. You'll want it to cool as slowly as possible. I've done this to cast and nodular iron and I know that it works. Preheat and postheat are the key.

When i weld cast i preheat and postheat but i leave out the nickel rod unless its something very important....That **** is 2 bucks a rod....

MUDBUG J · 12-19-2007, 08:01 AM

The difference is that the diff pumpkin is cast steel, not cast iron. Cast steel can be welded much more successfully than cast iron.

Ryanpowell167 · 12-19-2007, 08:19 AM

Depends on axle model. Not all are cast steel. Some are iron so are FORGED and some are alum....

MUDBUG J · 12-19-2007, 08:21 AM

Thats true...my D44 is cast steel. Best to check to make sure.

dblakley · 12-23-2007, 09:26 AM

use a torpedo heater to pre-post heat your work. backing it up slowly as the weld cools

**notmyj** · 12-23-2007, 01:29 PM

Welded the tubes on my 8.8. Pre heat. Weld 90* then weld opposite. Repeat. I TIG'ed mine, with nickle rod. pre heat post heat. Let cool slowly.

vtjeeps · 12-29-2007, 07:21 PM

so best way to weld cast is with a tig or with a stick..

**BESRK** · 12-29-2007, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vtjeeps

so best way to weld cast is with a tig or with a stick..

I've done it quite a few times with a regular mig too...

GreenJip · 12-30-2007, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryanpowell167

Depends on axle model. Not all are cast steel. Some are iron so are FORGED and some are alum....

I am getting ready to weld up my 8.8 tubes to the housing also. How can I tell what metal the housing is made of. Anyone?

**Matt Gertsch** · 12-30-2007, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notmyj

Welded the tubes on my 8.8. Pre heat. Weld 90* then weld opposite. Repeat. I TIG'ed mine, with nickle rod. pre heat post heat. Let cool slowly.

Looks great, but you'll probably want to go in and fill the crater.

12-29-2007, 07:21 PM	#11
vtjeeps Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Duncan, South Carolina Posts: 219 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	umm so best way to weld cast is with a tig or with a stick.. __________________ The insurance company said its high RISK but i said no no its full width ...

12-23-2007, 09:26 AM	#9
dblakley Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: michigan Posts: 45 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	use a torpedo heater to pre-post heat your work. backing it up slowly as the weld cools