Splitting a wishbone

J

Joes32

Junior Member
Hello, can anyone tell me if it’s common to sleeve a bung for a tighter fit when preparing to weld? I’m guessing I had better try to but not as yet sure I have enough slop to be required... 🤔
Thank you, Joe
 
I can't speak much for front radius rod mods but it is common with 4130 chrome moly aircraft structural tubing. The different sizes of .032" wall thickness all fit inside the next larger size. When you have a tapered tube like a wishbone then you have to do whatever it takes. I like nice tight gaps when I weld structural stuff like that. The bones usually have a seam on the bottom. A person can cut up that seam a bit and resize if needed.
 
i would take a grinder cut at top and bottom of tube and squeeze it then weld it and fill and grind it up pretty.
 
I usually cut it thru the weld, bevel the cut edge, drill a 3/8" hole thru the 'bone sideways. I don't worry about a tight fit; but more about alignment. I clamp the 'bone with the yoke vertical along with the bung and rod end to my bench. I have a straight line scribed on my welding bench (a strip of tape will do) to line the assy up looking down on it, next I shim it so it is straight in a side view. Tack weld securely, unclamp it remove the rod end, complete the external weld and then weld thru the 3/8" holes (the bungs are not threaded all the way thru so this doesn't shrink the threads).

Nothing looks worse than split bones with the ends welded in crooked.
 
Joes32 said:
Hello, can anyone tell me if it’s common to sleeve a bung for a tighter fit when preparing to weld? I’m guessing I had better try to but not as yet sure I have enough slop to be required... 🤔
Thank you, Joe
Click to expand...

Stick a piece of solid rod the same diameter as the bung in the end. Heat the radius rod red and work the end down tapered over the rod with a wide face body hammer. Pull the rod. Drill a couple holes for rosette welds and TIG weld the holes and the circumference.
If this for the street, you can get away with smoothing off the welds.
Most race associations will not allow grinding welds smooth.
 
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