ETA picture.
Keeps it out of the exhaust
[Edited on 11-12-09 by Chippy]
Has anyone extended a steel rod, say 15 mm diameter, for edample to lengthen a steering column?
Technique I believe is to put cone on the ends, butt them up thus: ==><== and weld up filling in the missing cone.
but how do you ensure that both parts are in line?
clamp up to inside corner of ange iron, tack weld then roll the rod?
Will further welding introduce a kink?
Or tack weld both parts to the angle iron?
How would the cone be built up?
The correct way to do it is sleeve and weld.
So cut shaft. Select a piece of tube the correct ID and slide over joint. Then weld around the ends and plug weld for double security if its for
something like a driveshaft/sterring column.
To lengthen, a similar principal applies, and it could just be lengthened with a piece of heavish gauge tube (say 3mm wall) or a bar of the same OD as
the original then sleeve the joint at each end of the extension as above.
[Edited on 10/12/09 by flak monkey]
for the coupling that would casu no issues but for inner column you will never be able to take the inner column out if the lower bearing needed replacing?
Through drilling and a roll pin as well as welding would be advised.
Cheers,
Bob
weld them in a lathe so both parts are held ensuring there is no movement, make sure its a full penetration weld.
Skim the weld down to the diameter of the bar as most cracks, if they do appear will originate at the heal of the weld.
If its a high stress component inspect the weld for defects using dye penetrant for instance.
You could also shot blast/peen the area too to relieve stresses.
I had that issue on my steering column...
I simply made a nylon split bush rather than a bearing so that I can undo the bush and lift the shaft out, rather than trying to work out how to slide
the sleeved parts through the bearing...
And SVA man did not like seeing butt welding on the steering shaft..
He was MUCH happier with a sleeved joint!
quote:
If its a high stress component.....
Why not just replace the entire section with a single piece or tube or bar the required length? i.e. cut off the joints at each end and reuse on the
new tube/bar.
That's what MK and others do with theirs.
When I extended mine I cut the splines and triangle bit off that fits both ways, put into a lathe and turned down so they would be a snug fit into
3/4" 16swg tube of the new length required.
Fish mouthed the tube ends, gives a longer weld and then plug welded a little further back, belt and braces.
I would not try and join something halfway along its length, tube is stronger in twisting than solid + lighter so start again.
Regards Mark
[Edited on 10/12/09 by mark chandler]
quote:
Originally posted by nick205
Why not just replace the entire section with a single piece or tube or bar the required length? i.e. cut off the joints at each end and reuse on the new tube/bar.
That's what MK and others do with theirs.
?
My colum is sleeved welded and plug welded. Luego just sleeve and weld that.
Why do you want to extend the column, just extend the extensions that are attached to it, thats what I did. Cheers Ray
quote:
Originally posted by Chippy
Why do you want to extend the column, just extend the extensions that are attached to it, thats what I did.
Exactly like mine, except my problem was the exhaust manifold. I just put a third UJ in and a supporting bearing. I felt that cutting and welding the
column was a definate No! No!. Cheers Ray
ETA picture.
Keeps it out of the exhaust
[Edited on 11-12-09 by Chippy]
^^^ but unless I can get a UJ with spline ine end to fit between column and the allegro steering coupling, somewhere in the steeering linkage is gonna
be some welding.
anyway, my alloy radiator is sitting next to be in a box so will tonight what kind of changes are required.
Ageed, but the welding should only be to extend the links, which would be with sections of tube. You can get UJ's and legths of rod with the splines on from Car Builders Solutions, although picked mine up from the scrappies. Cheers Ray
ok, I must be missing something here.
what difference does it make if the welding, with sleeve, is done on the steering column, as per MK and Leugo or on the links?
putting in extra link is more effort since it needs a steady and more linkages (slines) and UJ introduce more slop.
Sleeve and weld it with a tight fit and good weld it is no problem, or look at some way of moving the radiator.
back to this.
column is 18 mm and only tube I found so far is 7/8 x 14 SWG
22.2mm x 2.03mm
will that be strong enough?
hmmm....
In a word, Yes!. Make sure you angle, or fish mouth the ends so you get max welding area, and if you want to be ultra careful, drill after welding and plug weld. Cheers Ray