Welding on Differential

[ferdball]

Quick question for y'all,  I've got a weeping hairline crack along the top of my differential pumpkin. It's about 4-5 inches long and I'm wondering if I could just clean it up real good and weld it back together? Or is there some NO NO when welding on a differential? I dont want to do anything stupid and weld teeth together or blow out seals etc?  I was thinking on draining it out and leaving the drain and fill plugs out and maybe hooking up a shop vac or compressor just to keep some air moving through there.

 

I did notice that at some point someone tried to braise it so it's got some brass on there I'd need to grind off too.

 

Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.

 

 

[P15-D24]

Had this done on my P15 many years ago. No issues. 

[Don Coatney]

Just make sure when you connect your welder ground clamp that you do not weld through a bearing.

[Plymouthy Adams]

as it has already been brazed..the weld will not stick to this area or the metal contaminated by the process..

[ferdball]

Plymouthy, if I grind all the remnants of the brazing away should I be good to go with welding? Or does the brazing process do other things to the metal and joint?

[Plymouthy Adams]

if you remove the bronze..you should be able to weld..this bronze will be a few thousands deep in the poors..I also would recommend that you find the end of the crack..drill a small stop hole here...bevel the crack for welding..preheat the area..and then proceed with an arc, tig or Henrob torch with flux and cast iron media.. if arc, be sure to weld with the proper rod alloy..(remember, cast iron) select heat range on the welder for proper penetration...

 

good luck..

[ferdball]

Bueno! Thanks for all the info. Now I'll get to cleaning and prep work.

[Fernando Mendes]

We welded mine and no problems.