What did I screw up?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jlaird · 04-18-2007, 07:34 PM

I was welding on my lower control arm today. Before I started, the crossshaft turned freely. After I finished welding, I froze it up. I can barely turn it with a pair of pipe plyers. I thought maybe it temporarily expanded by the heat, but after it cooled down, I still cant move it. What happened? Should I replace the whole shaft or can I just replace the bushings?

josh

pissonNOS · 04-18-2007, 08:22 PM

is it possible the bushings just got too hot and have melted around the shaft? just a guess?

jlaird · 04-18-2007, 08:26 PM

I don't know, maybe. From the outside they look normal.

pissonNOS · 04-18-2007, 10:37 PM

probly wouldnt hurt to change them anyways

SCOTI · 04-18-2007, 11:29 PM

How much heat did you generate? What/where were you welding?

jlaird · 04-19-2007, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCOTI

How much heat did you generate? What/where were you welding?

I am making some custom bag mounts. I did a lot of welding on them. I'll post some pics when I'm done in my build thread. They are coming out pretty nice!

SCOTI · 04-19-2007, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlaird

I am making some custom bag mounts. I did a lot of welding on them. I'll post some pics when I'm done in my build thread. They are coming out pretty nice!

Sounds like you may have warped the arm vs. what is was before welding. Try putting it in a press if it looks bowed one way or another (might not be able to tell though).

jlaird · 04-19-2007, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Sounds like you may have warped the arm vs. what is was before welding. Try putting it in a press if it looks bowed one way or another (might not be able to tell though).

Thats what I was afraid of. Oh $hit!

Think I can fix this?

XXL · 04-19-2007, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Sounds like you may have warped the arm

Quote:

Originally Posted by pissonNOS

the bushings just got too hot and have melted around the shaft?

I vote the latter. The shape of the a-arm stamping sure looks strong. I can see the old, nasty rubber bushings melting on the inside (where they're pressed up against the overheated metal).

jlaird · 04-19-2007, 09:35 PM

I took the cross shafts out and reassembled them. The bushings didn't melt. I think after I cut the spring pocket out, the arm slightly tweaked because I didn't have enough bracing on it. I put the shaft back in and it seems to be ok. One thing I have learned from welding is you can never use enough bracing. On the other control arm, I braced it in three spots around the shaft area. I'll post some pics tomorrow of my masterpiece!

XXL · 04-19-2007, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlaird

I cut the spring pocket out!

I missed that little detail.

SCOTI · 04-19-2007, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlaird

....I think after I cut the spring pocket out, the arm slightly tweaked because I didn't have enough bracing on it.

When you mentioned fabricating bag plates.... this was the image I visualized & why I thought the arm was possibly warped.

Try to only weld 1" @ a time & allow the material time to completely cool if you can't brace what needs welding.

XXL · 04-19-2007, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCOTI

allow the material time to completely cool if you can't brace what needs welding.

Remember... if the metal gets too hot, you can use the insides of your arms as a heat sink to cool it down. Wait, er... don't do that.

pcmcobra · 04-19-2007, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XXL

Remember... if the metal gets too hot, you can use the insides of your arms as a heat sink to cool it down. Wait, er... don't do that.

lol

SCOTI · 04-20-2007, 02:17 PM

Young grasshopper. . ..... If you can take the ......

04-18-2007, 07:34 PM	#1
jlaird Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: johnstown, NY Posts: 2,393	What did I screw up?? I was welding on my lower control arm today. Before I started, the crossshaft turned freely. After I finished welding, I froze it up. I can barely turn it with a pair of pipe plyers. I thought maybe it temporarily expanded by the heat, but after it cooled down, I still cant move it. What happened? Should I replace the whole shaft or can I just replace the bushings? josh

04-18-2007, 08:22 PM	#2
pissonNOS senior member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: fort macleod alberta Posts: 2,770	Re: What did I screw up?? is it possible the bushings just got too hot and have melted around the shaft? just a guess? __________________ 69 GMC bagged

04-18-2007, 08:26 PM	#3
jlaird Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: johnstown, NY Posts: 2,393	Re: What did I screw up?? I don't know, maybe. From the outside they look normal.

04-18-2007, 10:37 PM	#4
pissonNOS senior member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: fort macleod alberta Posts: 2,770	Re: What did I screw up?? probly wouldnt hurt to change them anyways __________________ 69 GMC bagged

04-18-2007, 11:29 PM	#5
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,071	Re: What did I screw up?? How much heat did you generate? What/where were you welding? __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.* Last edited by SCOTI; 04-18-2007 at 11:29 PM.

04-19-2007, 09:35 PM	#10
jlaird Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: johnstown, NY Posts: 2,393	Re: What did I screw up?? I took the cross shafts out and reassembled them. The bushings didn't melt. I think after I cut the spring pocket out, the arm slightly tweaked because I didn't have enough bracing on it. I put the shaft back in and it seems to be ok. One thing I have learned from welding is you can never use enough bracing. On the other control arm, I braced it in three spots around the shaft area. I'll post some pics tomorrow of my masterpiece!

04-20-2007, 02:17 PM	#15
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,071	Re: What did I screw up?? Young grasshopper. . ..... If you can take the ...... __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*



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