Welding cast steel and Axle shafts?

[Mike]

Im planning on getting some cast steel knuckles that im going to modify to use on the rear suspension of a Panther kart. I will be doing some machining and then need to weld some things to the knuckle. Are there any issues with welding cast steel. I guess these knuckles would be cast steel.

Im getting some large 4x4 ATV CV axles to try out on my panther but I will need to lengthen them some. What kind of issues would I have if I cut the axles and use a Thick wall 4130 tube to slip over the axle ends and then weld it all up? Im may have to machine the Axles down to fit tight in the tube but im not sure yet. If this would work what thickness 4130 would I need to use? I want to use the ATV CV joins as they will mate right up to the ATV hubs, brakes and knuckles and I will only have $250 in the rear drive components other than the center section. *Also the ATV CV joints look to be able to work at very high angles making them great for high travel.

Any thoughts on these ideas would be great. I have not purchased anything yet but Im getting ready to.

Mike

[redbeard]

Look on the web links page and find Rorty-Design.com. He has a section on how to measure and lengthen cv axles! But to do it proper you need three axles, one to destroy and make an axle gauge. but I'm sure you can figure out how to do it! The guy's building the R-82's and I think theres an R-6 on this forum are all building Rorty Buggy's!!

[Rorty]

Mike, the cast steel that steering knuckles/uprights/spindles - call them what you may - weld no differently to any other form of low carbon steel. You should pay attention to equal penetration and cooling though and to this end, you'd be advised to pre-heat the cast steel due to its mass.

If it's of any help, you can read my page about lengthening axles here: [url=http://www.rorty-design.com/content/axles.htm:1h6nyl2c]Measuring and Re-making CV Axles[/url:1h6nyl2c]

[Mike]

Thanks for the great info. I sorta figured the cast steel knuckles could be welded if done right. Im going to machine almost all of the knuckle away other than caliper mounts and then I will use some of the mounting holes that are there to bolt brackets to and then weld everything up good. Some the brackets will be bolted and welded.

I think I will be able to modify these axles with the supplied info.

Thanks
Mike

[bdkw1]

Preheat and post heat. Use missile rod

[Rorty]

Missile rod?

[WelderPat]

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