Tube bung...distorted after welding? FIXED!

[MTBLAZER89]

I used Ballistic Fabs square tube bung for adjustability on my Ballistic Joint for my anti-wrap bar.

After I welded it in I can no longer thread the joint in all the way. It stops about 1" from the end of the threads inside the bung.

I can't visibly see anything gouged, or any marks on the joint threads, but I have had this thing clamped down and wrenched on it. It will not thread in anymore.

I really need it threaded in another inch or so. I built everything to that measurement

I'm sure a 1.25" tap isn't cheap!

 

[KansasTwister]

i think your supposed to weld it with bolt inside so the heat wont disort, but i may be wrong. Check a local machine shop see if they dont have the tap and wont rethread the last bit for you, hopefully it all goes well. Good luck.

 

[Greg72]

Sounds like shrinkage after the welding was completed...

I had a similar problem with a swingout tailgate. It was perfect until I did the finish welding on the pivots. Once it cooled it seized so bad I couldn't even move it.

 

[MTBLAZER89]

Well nobody in this town has a 1-1/4 tap or for that matter any sacrificial 1-1/4 hardware...

 

[supersize75k5]

yup..as mentioned weld it with the bolt or a junk hiem in there.


That really sucks, sad to say I have been there before.. education is expensive!

 

[berg76]

could u heat the end up with a torch red hot then thread a cold bolt in and let it cool?

 

[Merv]

yup..as mentioned weld it with the bolt or a junk hiem in there.


That really sucks, sad to say I have been there before.. education is expensive!

Make sure you use anti sieze, so the bolt doesn't get stuck in there.

 

[tRustyK5]

What works good is weld it with the bolt or whatever installed, then remove the bolt while its still hot. The majority of the shrinkage/distortion happens right away. once the temps are down to 250 F or so it's not gonna move much more, yet the remaining heat still allows the bolt to be removed.

Rene

 

[74kay5]

Been there and done that with my home built tie rod. Had to cut out the insert and start over. It was 20 for a new insert or buy the 40 dollar tap.

 

[MTBLAZER89]

I may be able to salvage the insert, and just cut the bad thread off. It's a couple inches deep. We'll see

 

[ktmoutfront]

I bought taps for left and right, 1", 1.25" and 1.5". Could not get one set of threads out. I weld mine with nothing inside. then run taps in.

 

[MTBLAZER89]

I bought taps for left and right, 1", 1.25" and 1.5". Could not get one set of threads out. I weld mine with nothing inside. then run taps in.

Man those are $$$ taps to have around!

I'll update tonight if I can get this bung out without destroying it. Its pretty beefy so I hope so if I go slow with a cutting wheel.

 

[ktmoutfront]

I have reused bungs from old rods. Patience is key.

 

[MTBLAZER89]

Ballistic Joint/Tube Bung-0 Me-1

Got the bung out pretty easily. Good chance to spot check my welding I'm getting good penetration in the .250 wall tubing!

Could not figure out where the bind was in the threads. Trimmed 3/8" off the bung and tried threading it in from both sides..no luck.

Trimmed 1/2" off the Ballistic Joint.

Threads all the way in and out by hand

Coated it with Anti seize and welded it back up with it at the pre-measured depth..just in case. Still threads in and out by hand after its cool!