how to repair this, is it cast iron or cast steel?

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I wasnt sure where to put this, so Ill start here, if wrong please move or tell me. I have a friend with a JD tractor knuckle that has been repaired and is in need again. Im hoping the pics load up on here. Any way, Im not sure if its cast steel or cast iron, it is a steering knuckle that has threaded trunions in them, the one pictured wore due to a worn out bearing that went undetected for a while. It wore the bore in the knuckle out so a friend machined a sleeve that threaded into the knuckle (metric threads on the JD) and then cut the trunion thread on the ID of the sleeve. Well this held up for  a while, but now the OD thread on the sleeve is very loose in the knuckle, the trunion to sleeve thread is tight. He isnt sure what caused it, says he followed the manual instructions while putting it back together and the bearing wasnt loose. Im wondering if this sleeve could be welded to the knuckle or not? Or if some ill effect would result. Could it be welded with Mig, 7018, or brazed with OA? Im gonna try to post the two pics I snapped with my phone, if you look close you can see the trunion (the hex headed part with the grease fitting in the center) and the sleeve (the trunion is screwed into the sleeve)    Any help or ideas on either to weld or how to repair would be great, thank you guys                                       Craighttp://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...-00-40_712.jpghttp://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...-00-19_139.jpg
Reply:I dont remember but a while back, months, there was a post about an axle housing and welding it. Look out for the spelling here, deductle iron? Maybe just throwing it out there.Learning one rod at a time
Reply:This first thing I'd do is to make a new threaded sleeve. In fact I might make a new trunion as well since I can't do metric threads. This time making sure that it's a tight fit in the knuckle. Looks like he pinned it in place last time to keep it from screwing out. There's really not a lot of room to do that and looks like it failed. I think in this case that I'd probably keep the sleeve in place with some nickel rod. Preheat the piece and weld. Likely I'd put a bevel on the sleeve and hole to have a place for the weld to be ground down flush (looks like there's a steering arm that bolts on top so you'll need to clear it).   That's my take on it. I'm sure there will be others.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:Originally Posted by irish fixitThis first thing I'd do is to make a new threaded sleeve. In fact I might make a new trunion as well since I can't do metric threads. This time making sure that it's a tight fit in the knuckle. Looks like he pinned it in place last time to keep it from screwing out. There's really not a lot of room to do that and looks like it failed. I think in this case that I'd probably keep the sleeve in place with some nickel rod. Preheat the piece and weld. Likely I'd put a bevel on the sleeve and hole to have a place for the weld to be ground down flush (looks like there's a steering arm that bolts on top so you'll need to clear it).   That's my take on it. I'm sure there will be others.
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterX2..Did you figure out if it is steel or iron?E-Z way to do this is to just drill a 1/8" hole in it somewhere..Not deep but just enough for some chips.If it comes out all powder its Cast Iron..Other than that it would be steel....zap!
Reply:thanks guys, Irish, the sleeve was a very snug fit to start, it wasnt pinned but what youre seeing are two small bolts that hold a "locking plate" in place so the trunion cant turn. It seems to me that the guy isnt snugging the bearing enough, but he swears he is, and putting it together according to the manual.    Zap, great tip, thank you, I will try it. If cast steel it should be easier to weld no? I can weld but the only way Ive repaired cast iron is to braze it.....and it was iffy at that.    The model front end is not made by JD anymore (due to problems???) so the guy cant even go find a new part, he looked on the pc and people wanted an arm and a leg for it, he doesnt use the tractor much. Thanks for the ideas guys