Welding On The Strut Housings Without Removing Bearings?

[HaZmatt]

Hi guys, i'm considering getting a set of the BC coilovers. They require you to cut off your strut housing leaving a 2" nub. The new assembly slides over the 2" nub and then you weld the new assembly to the base. Sounds easy enough, right?

 

 My question is this.... is it necessary to remove the wheel bearings to do so? Maybe im being lazy but it would be soooo much easier to just unbolt the assembly from the car, weld them on, then reinstall. Other than having to remove the brand new bearings I just put in, probably have to buy new bearings, reinstall and repack with grease.

 

Will the welder heat up the carrier so much that it could warp the bearings? Just wanted your thoughts.

 

Here is the link to the coilovers.

 

http://www.jpngarage.com/260Z-280Z-BC-br-coilovers-19745-to-1978-BR-74-78-280Z.htm

[240260280z]

I think you will be ok with temperature. Just let it cool between hits and make sure the electrical path is not through the bearings.

[Captain Obvious]

I also don't think there would be a problem. Stich weld if necessary.

 

And as suggested... Don't clamp your ground wire onto the rotating portion. Clamp the ground onto the same side of the bearings the weld will be located so the welding current doesn't have to go through the balls. It's never good to send welding current through the balls.

[240260280z]

It's never good to send welding current through the balls.

That should be in every automotive and aerospace welding manual. No one will forget it

[Captain Obvious]

Not the kind of thing you do twice.

 

Next time you're here, remind me to tell you a story about troubleshooting an ignition problem on my old Alfa... The Prince of Darkness taught me a lesson in a somewhat related way...

[240260280z]

I bet it was painful!

btw I have a mustang TB for you. Want me to mail it or wait until you and Rene visit us or we go there

[John Coffey]

Oh geez!  Take the bearings and hubs off the spindle - the rotor and hub will get in the way when welding the strut tubes.  You don't have to buy new bearings or races when putting them back on, just repack.  

[Darrel]

old post, but I think he was concerned about the rear struts and bearings.

[Oiluj]

It's never good to send welding current through the balls.

 

Absolutely.  That would be torture!

[John Coffey]

Sorry, I meant rear hub.