MIG Consumable Selection for Welding Axle Tubes and Cast Iron Center Sections

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Guys:Need some help. What would be a good consumable selection for welding the steel tubes to the cast iron center section on an automotive axle? I am looking in my Lincoln Consumable catalog at the stainless and nickel sections per a suggestion of a friend.I see they have a few options:Blue Max MIG 308LSi (ER308Si, ER308LSi) - Superior corrosion and crack resistanceBlue Max LNM 307 - Designed for joining dissimilar steelsI know with a good preheat and long cooling these can be welded just looking for an electrode selection suggestion. Are these appropiate or should I be looking at something else?ChadMy JeepLincoln Power Mig 215 / Magnum 300 Mig Gun / SG Spool Gun / Dual TankLincoln X-TRACTOR 1GCMiller Digital Elite
Reply:Center sections are not cast iron.  I've welded dozens of axle tubes to center sections with regular ER70S-6 with no issues.
Reply:I cant tell you exactly what the material on a center section is.... but i can tell you that i have had the best luck, by far with Nickel rod.Ive done a TON of welding on axle center sections, building custom axles, traction bar brackets, multi-link suspensions.I have used ER70S-6 and 7018 on numerous occasions... with no problems at all.... but i did have a 4 link bracket break off of the center section on a Dana 44 once. Ever since i have been using Nickel rod and have had no problems. I either stick weld them or TIG them with nickel, works great. I would not recommend using anything else..Steve1946 Shorthood  -  1958 Blackface  -  1962 Redface  -  1967 Redface  -  1968 Redface -  1970 Blackface  -  2005 300D -  2008 Vantage 300  -and a ton of other welding stuff
Reply:Originally Posted by TSORCenter sections are not cast iron.  I've welded dozens of axle tubes to center sections with regular ER70S-6 with no issues.
Reply:Originally Posted by chadjansWhat axles are you welding that are not cast iron center sections? Ford 9 or Toyota something?The 14bolt and D60 I need to weld are both cast iron center sections. Nick at Campbell Enterprises welded up a 14b and Dana 60 for me once and I thought he told me they were TIG welding with stainless steel rod. I am looking for a MIG solution.Chad
Reply:Lets end all the confusion here and NOW.There should be no more questions..http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/techart...ing/index.html...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Originally Posted by chadjansGuys:Need some help. What would be a good consumable selection for welding the steel tubes to the cast iron center section on an automotive axle?(snip)I know with a good preheat and long cooling these can be welded just looking for an electrode selection suggestion. Are these appropiate or should I be looking at something else?Chad
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterLets end all the confusion here and NOW.There should be no more questions..http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/techart...ing/index.html
Reply:Originally Posted by chadjansI checked Esab's website and it looks like the Nicore 55 (http://products.esabna.com/EN/home/f...5_no_aws_class) and the Allstate 8600 (http://products.esabna.com/EN/home/f..._corecast_8600) only come in as small as a 10 pound spool.Welding depot has a small spool (http://store.weldingdepot.com/cgi/we...ml?id=h5xvcoLj) of the silicon bronze for a resonable price. Is this an acceptable substitue for the Nicore 55 and the Allstate 8600?Chad
Reply:I have done a few axles with 70S-6, 400 degree preheat, post heat and slow cool with good success. Never had one crack but this was part of a redundant system. All the axles that I have done also had a truss tie in to the housing and pinion. I was just wondering if there was a better material selection and it appears that there is. I wouldn't mind keeping some of the wire around for I know it will be used. Just don't need 30 pounds of it. I have a spool gun for my welder, so I can use the 4 inch spools.ChadMy JeepLincoln Power Mig 215 / Magnum 300 Mig Gun / SG Spool Gun / Dual TankLincoln X-TRACTOR 1GCMiller Digital Elite
Reply:Originally Posted by chadjansI have done a few axles with 70S-6, 400 degree preheat, post heat and slow cool with good success. Never had one crack but this was part of a redundant system. All the axles that I have done also had a truss tie in to the housing and pinion. I was just wondering if there was a better material selection and it appears that there is. I wouldn't mind keeping some of the wire around for I know it will be used. Just don't need 30 pounds of it. I have a spool gun for my welder, so I can use the 4 inch spools.Chad