Need some info on current project.....

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Guys, I have a D5 Cat that came in today for various welding and I have run into a snag.  The equalizer that runs from track to track, under the belly, and holds up the front of the tractor has some serious wear!!  I ran a spark test and   it looks like it could be spring steel.  I called the local Cat dealer which I have never known to be real knowledgeable on welding, and they said,  "just build it up with some rods.  It'll be fine"  I have replaced several of the mounts but never had a bar with this much wear.  I talked to one other guy who does alot of dozier repair, and said the same thing.   I am just concerned that if I heat this thing up and it loses its strength, then someone is in for a heck of a ride if it breaks and the nose of that crawler hits the dirt.  I was thinking about taking some 7018 building up and grinding back to size and it would probably be ok.  I even talked to the owner about my thoughts, and he said, "Weld it, if it doesn't work then I buy a bar.  I buy it now, or buy it later, so let's try it",  but I thought I would ask on here before I started.  Maybe some of you guys have run across this before.  I have a couple more days worth of welding to do before i get to this anyway. Thanks in advance  ~JacksonI didn't want to disappoint zap so i threw the dime in the last pic.....Last edited by MicroZone; 05-22-2007 at 10:47 PM.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:Not uncommon..7018 is the rod of choice..Go for it.....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:I just welded one up a couple of weeks ago. So far so good. It hasn't snapped, to my knowledge. I'm not sure those are spring steel. Especially if the owner is okay with it I would weld it. I welded the one I did with 7018 also.
Reply:Thanks for the info,  That was my thinking also but I wanted to cover my butt.   ~JacksonI'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:Nice dime! John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:If this is the #1 leaf (lowest) then it is part# 8M6617.  This part retails for $697.72 out in AZ, so try not to put too much time into the repair.  To be safe you should pre-heat the material before welding & 7018 rod will be fine.Skip
Reply:red, its the ONLY leaf.  its not multiples, just the single bar that runs across.  I built new mounts today and built it up.  Gonna try to get it put back in tommorrow.  Thanks for the info guys...  ~JacksonI'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......