Is it really necessary to strip the rear axle? How likely will it be that something goes wrong when welding on the brackets?

i did'nt, it did'nt go wrong.

I was too idle to strip it and it's been o.k.

yours, Pete.

I would recommend stripping m8. When you weld the chances of arcing between bearings etc are slim... but.. the poo you create inside the axle due to the heat and the crap in your.. old .. axle is shitloads.