Hi guys I have just noticed one of my lower wishbones has a crack on it next to the balljoint about half to an inch long, I have just put new bushes etc in it but was told it will most likely break and not worth the risk and to just throw it away and not to weld it any second opinions?
Cracked wish bone
Started by
_haim_
, May 10 2014 11:12 PM
32 replies to this topic
#3
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Posted 11 May 2014 - 12:40 AM
chuck it
Agree 100%.
#5
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Posted 11 May 2014 - 12:08 PM
Hi Haim,
Safety comes First, and by the Time you weld it up, You could be half way there, putting a Better one on. Dave I
#6
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Posted 11 May 2014 - 08:36 PM
Yeah that's true I just didn't want to redo those rubbers because there so time consuming, or so the fella who did it said lol
#7
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Posted 11 May 2014 - 08:43 PM
Ummmmmmm question begs why on earth would the mechanic put the bloody thing back together with a cracked wishbone ???? and then tell you it might break,just asking
#8
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Posted 11 May 2014 - 10:13 PM
Just out of curiosity, why chuck it, why not have it tigged up.
I had mine tigged up and you can't tell where the crack was.
I had mine tigged up and you can't tell where the crack was.
#9
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Posted 11 May 2014 - 10:16 PM
Ummmmmmm question begs why on earth would the mechanic put the bloody thing back together with a cracked wishbone ???? and then tell you it might break,just asking
This.
Cheers.
#10
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Posted 11 May 2014 - 10:39 PM
Did you get the long bit or the short bit?
Did your wish come true?
Did your wish come true?
#11
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Posted 11 May 2014 - 10:46 PM
I understand that DJ.
The way I interpret that is the mechanic put it back together without welding it up so naturally it will eventually break.
One reason I ask was I have had one of mine tig welded, but if that is bad then I need to get another one.
The way I interpret that is the mechanic put it back together without welding it up so naturally it will eventually break.
One reason I ask was I have had one of mine tig welded, but if that is bad then I need to get another one.
Edited by Mort, 11 May 2014 - 10:47 PM.
#12
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Posted 12 May 2014 - 12:20 AM
The area had abit of grease over it so I'm asuming it wasn't noticed till I cleaned it properly,
Was told welding it won't help
Was told welding it won't help
#13
_447SBC_
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Posted 12 May 2014 - 12:37 AM
Aren't they cast anyway?...
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#14
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Posted 12 May 2014 - 12:49 AM
No, a pressing.
#15
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Posted 12 May 2014 - 09:26 AM
I'm guessing the guys who are saying 'chuck it' are also the guys who can't weld?
#16
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Posted 12 May 2014 - 03:59 PM
Should be able to weld if its pressed, guess it would depend how easily you could find a replacement upper wishbone...
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#17
_434LX_
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Posted 12 May 2014 - 04:20 PM
I'm guessing the guys who are saying 'chuck it' are also the guys who can't weld?
I hope so !
Suspension components are subjected to high cyclic loading and should only be repaired / fabricated by experienced and preferably qualified welders.
There are a lot of guys on here that are more than capable of this repair.
There are also people who can weld, but don't fully understand the process and parameters required and will probably end up with a weld that will initiate a fatigue crack leading to failure anyway.
There's still heaps of good uppers and lowers out there, even a few NOS ones from time to time on fleabay.
If in doubt, throw it out. My 2c anyway...
#18
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Posted 12 May 2014 - 04:23 PM
I'm guessing the guys who are saying 'chuck it' are also the guys who can't weld?
You guess wrong Col.
Cheers
Dave.
#19
_haim_
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Posted 13 May 2014 - 09:41 AM
The guy I got it done from said it's illigal to weld it so he won't even bother
#20
_sbc57lx_
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Posted 13 May 2014 - 12:05 PM
The guy I got it done from said it's illigal to weld it so he won't even bother
MY understanding, here in VIC, you wont get a road worthy with welded repairs to suspension components, including rear trailing arms that have been boxed .
#21
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Posted 13 May 2014 - 12:16 PM
MY understanding, here in VIC, you wont get a road worthy with welded repairs to suspension components, including rear trailing arms that have been boxed .
Believe it's similar rules here in QLD, also illegal to straighten bent suspension and steering components.
#22
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Posted 13 May 2014 - 12:20 PM
Using that logic, all front control arms, diffs & x-members are illegal!
Have a look at the ball joint boss & how it attaches to the control arm. IT'S WELDED!
Now if it can't be welded using todays advanced methods, how did the General do it back in 1974?
The golden rule of thumb is : DO NOT WELD SUSPENSION COMPONENTS.
Why? Because some things just can't be welded easily using back yard equiptment. This was true 30 yrs ago & still applies to 'some' components today. Basically anything which is heat treated should NOT be repaired by unqualified persons. I.e, stub axles, leaf springs etc. These components contain higher carbon contents & alloying agents, both of which are tricky to repair if you don't have a thorough understanding of the parent metal, the procedure to repair & the correct equipment. This is where the 'back yarders' fail. This is why the golden rule exists!
Control arms do NOT contain excessive amounts of carbon. If they did then they couldn't be 'pressed' out of tin plate. The same tin plate is also what hold the diff mounts & spring holder on. Yep, they are welded too! The process in forming ( pressing) control arms introduces inherent stress into the member. These things are under stress just sitting on a work bench. Google 'Stress lines in metals' for a better understanding. Most of this stress is removed by post heating when new. The part is cooked in an oven at around 200-280 deg for a designated period of time. This may be fine in 1974, but the more work these things do, the more stress is being built up in the item, which results in a weak point ...... a crack.
Any 2nd year apprentice can repair a crack in a control arm. It is no different than welding in a rust repair section on the body.
If your ball joint boss is worn beyond service ....... throw it in the bin!
If you just have a small crack in the arm ........ fix the bloody thing!
#23
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Posted 13 May 2014 - 01:46 PM
Who welded the strengthening into the XU-1 lower control arms? 
#24
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Posted 13 May 2014 - 03:51 PM
Who welded the strengthening into the XU-1 lower control arms?
I love guessing games. Was it alf Stewart ?
#25
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Posted 13 May 2014 - 07:05 PM
Well I would say that I am more than capable of welding up a wish bone,but I wouldn't dream of doing it, and as far as things welded in the factory you will most likely find that the welds are in a non stressed area
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