Welding 8.8 Tubes.

[Hahnsb2]

I'm gearing/locking a sploder 8.8 for my B2, I would like to weld the tubes. From what I've been able to find the center section is cast steel rather than iron. I assume I can weld this with my MIG welder? Do I need to pre-heat the cast? I plan on doing the each tube in 1/4 increments to prevent any bending/warping,

 

[mjonesjr]

There is no problem in welding the tubes as long as you distribute the heat. When my dad welded my spring perches on my 8.8, he didn't even distribute anything and it didn't cause any problems.

 

[240cubes]

ive welded the tubes on every 8.8 ive had under my mustangs and ive never preheated the cast and it has come out beautiful every time

 

[CopyKat]

Likely better to use a 6011 rod and arc weld them. No matter how much you try to get it clean there will always be that small gap between the tube and the housing that has some contaminants in it. I'll be doing mine very shortly

 

[4x4junkie]

I used a MIG on mine.
I used some paint stripper first to get the area good & clean. It took the welds fine with no issues (I went in 1" increments on either side at a time). I preheated it to maybe around 300° (as hot as I wanted to get it with the axle assembled), which I know isn't hot enough to be ideal, but I figured any little bit should help. No problems so far.

 

[Hahnsb2]

OK sounds pretty straight forward. I only have a propane torch but I assume it can preheat sufficiently, it will just take a while.

 

[AKBroncoII]

Weed burners work great for preheating. Make sure to alternate welding. IE, do a small section on one side, then the other.

 

[Bent Bolt]

Is welding the tubes a must do on a 8.8 ?? I know it won't hurt but is it a real necessity ??

 

[Hahnsb2]

There have been enough people that have spun the tubes to make me take the extra time to do it while I'm building it.

 

[metalmacguyver]

Its one of those "No reason not to do it" kind of things.

 

[4x4junkie]

Correct, the 8.8's tubes are known for spinning in the housing under hard use (there's only 3 plug-welds on each side). Welding them at the chunk is the dirt-simple preventative measure.

 

[wahlstrom1]

I've seen it happen a time or two as well, so I welded mine when I swapped it in. I ran 3 1 inch long beads evenly around the tubes. If you weld all the way around, and it does crack it'll just crack the whole weld and you'll be right back where you started.

-andrew