To Weld Or Not To Weld, This Is The Question?

I have heard somewhere it is not a good idea to weld on axle housings with them fully assembled with bearings inside. The weld current passing thru the bearings could cause arching between the bearing rollers and their respective races making for rough spots thus ruining your bearings. Any opinions?

 

The current *should* find the most direct route from the arc to the ground. Place your ground close to the area being welded, and not in a place that the arc could find a way through the bearings, and it’ll be fine.

 

That's what I was taught when welding on large 16v diesel engines in the copper mining industry....

 

Yep, should be good with careful ground placement. I've welded on assembled axle housings numerous times.

 

Thanks, that was kinda my reasoning on it.

 

This for sure.

 

so long as the ground clamp is on the piece of metal you are welding to, you will be fine. Best case, grind a bit of the paint/rust/whatever off of where you're clamping to, and make sure it's directly to the housing, or a tab that is already welded to the housing.

Even if I'm welding something on my welding table, I always try to clamp directly to the work piece I'm welding to if I can, rather than grounding the table and hoping for a good ground to the work piece.

 

Sounds like if I ground to the near by shock mount tab while welding on new spring perches I should be safe.

 

Someday your going to show us this project?

 

Yep, I will document the entire process when I start. I have been Slowey gathering parts to do my overhaul. I have a complete rebuild kits for the T-15 and the dana 20, a complete set of new YJ springs with new hangers, shackle kits from Jim Crabtree, All new bearings, wheel brgs and seals for both axels, new fuel tank, all new gauges, rewire components to build a complete new wiring harness, complete set up for all new power steering. All new brake components inc wheel cyls, new master, and all new brake lines. New windshield glass and rubber seals. A set of new seats, No new top or tires until project nears completion. I am thinking I will not mess with the 304, it has perfect oil pressure hot and compression on all 8 cyl. and uses very little oil and no leaks I have been getting ready to start by building a new shop, bought an air compressor and blast cabinet and remote supplied air respirator set up for blasting and painting. (just got it installed). So getting closer to starting my rebuild, getting excited.