Welding on Axles, is it a No No?

[BlazerBud]

I have to weld some new brackets to my rear 14 bolt axle for the shock absorbers. The previous owner installed the axle, removed and ground down the mounting brackets for the shock absorbers. Not sure why, I think that they may have been in the wrong locations.

I can weld really good, but I have never welded to an axle housing. I was going to fabricate some nice brackets, then weld them on. I have seen lots of axle welding write ups mostly for suspension mods.

My concern is about the heat. Is it bad to weld to the axle while it is installed? Does the heat damage anything inside the axle housing. I don't plan to burn through, but does this char the oil inside?

I have several welding machines and can do any process. I was just going to flux core wire feed this so it would be shallow.

Any suggestions?

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Weld it, its mild steel. Most likely 3/8" thick.

 

[BlazerBud]

Thanks, that's what I thought, but I always ask the guys who know before I do something stupid.....Oh wait, I mean I usually do stupid first, then wish I had asked

 

[Avery4jc]

Yeah no problems here.. I've welded around the yoke on my 14ff and a shock tab on a guy's 10b in his k5 that works next to me...neither one caused any issues...

 

[Fry]

One thing that would be best would be to do full circle brackets.
Heat on one side of the diff tube will draw the rest of the tube that way, heat evenly all the way around will keep it from any movement. If your doing it with the diff in the truck I can't see any warping really anyway though. Just make sure you have a good ground close to your weld.

 

[spoolnaround]

Weld it, its mild steel. Most likely 3/8" thick.

I think the tubes are more like .5" thick

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

I think the tubes are more like .5" thick

They are 1/2" near the pumpkin, they are more like 3/8" at the ends.

 

[CaveBlazin]

So I took off those shock perches to relocate what I had and yes you can weld away haha.....

 

[BlazerBud]

Spencer,

I got it home. I'm going to swap my old engine into it maybe this weekend, I'm just getting it all ready so it will happen smoothly. Did you happen to find the title?