alloy wheel welding

[mark williams]

If the crack in the alloy is vee d out both sides and cleaned really well would my 210 amp machine weld it ok? Is it ok to pre heat with propane?

 

[Richard.]

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/welding-alloy-wheels.11639/


It's not really recommended unless you know exactly what your doing. This is an old thread with some knowledgable responses read through it and make your mind up whether it's something you want to take on. It's not my area so I won't be advising.

 

[Rocketman]

The welding won't be as strong as the original wheel was and will likely soften surrounding area also there may be other weak points in the wheel now due to the impact it has had. At a personal level and working with aluminium a lot I wouldn't trust a welded wheel.

 

[deneo]

If the crack in the alloy is vee d out both sides and cleaned really well would my 210 amp machine weld it ok? Is it ok to pre heat with propane?

Use a 5556a rod and will be ok when welded and about 140 amps will be more than enough

 

[Richard.]

I too spend 90% of my arc time on AC with aluminium-ish repairs. I say ish as the stuff I repair (bike casings sumps pegs etc) is Ali with loads of unfriendly stuff in there also. The point is I'm comfortable with that sort of work but I would not undertake your task given the fact if it goes pear shaped at 80mph it goes really pear shaped.

 

[Richard.]

Use a 5556a rod and will be ok when welded and about 140 amps will be more than enough

That's an exact 5.3% mg. without knowing the composition of the wheel what made you select that one. I believe and correct me if I'm wrong a lot of alloy wheels have different compositions and it's not quite that straight forward. I'm not clued up on exactly what they are made of so I am open to criticism if it is that straight forward.

 

[CRB]

Roy Thersby have been doing it for a million years, sort of. They now have a facility in St Neots as well as the original shop in Stockton.

Worth a look Richard since you are not far.

 

[mark williams]

How do the ally wheel refurbishers repair cracks then if there not safe to weld. Bit of dye pen after. If no crack remaining isn't it all ok?

 

[Richard.]

Roy Thersby have been doing it for a million years, sort of. They now have a facility in St Neots as well as the original shop in Stockton.

Worth a look Richard since you are not far.

That is just up the road and I am very much into my bikes. That's worth noting those details down as I wouldn't repair them my self if they become damaged. Cheers.

 

[mark williams]

I would never repair a motorbike wheel or truck wheel.

 

[steviec_lj]

Bloke just outside Scunthorpe, Forge Welding in Normanby, does it for Motorsport.

They come with a certificate of conformity or something or other for motorsport, but he cannot supply any certification for use on a road vehicle sadly.

 

[mark williams]

Bloke just outside Scunthorpe, Forge Welding in Normanby, does it for Motorsport.

They come with a certificate of conformity or something or other for motorsport, but he cannot supply any certification for use on a road vehicle sadly.

has he got some sort of weld coding for doing them for motorspot? similar thing to me welding aircraft parts in work, they then get a caa aproval

 

[steviec_lj]

Yes Mark, I'm not 100% on what the coding is, but the cert is hanging from one of the barn roof supports.

Quite an old gent to, must be in his 70's, and still going!

 

[Richard.]

I would never repair a motorbike wheel or truck wheel.

I don't see the difference mate. Truck, car, bike or can if it goes wrong it can end in catastrophe. Truck wheels are relatively lower risk as they are steel so you know what your playing with and steel is much more forgiving. I'm not been negative but there is no shame in leaving that to the guys that do it day in day out.

 

[mark williams]

reason I said I wouldn't do motorbike is there is only 2 wheels and if one gives up your in big trouble, reason I said no to truck wheels is the pressure they are inflated to,
totally see your point Richard but when you weld aircraft parts everyday you have to have faith in your workmanship and be able to judge what is repairable and what is beyond repair no matter how much pressure there is on you to get the aircraft flying again!!

 

[mark williams]

just read a previous thread on this type of work, putting me off welding anything for anyone now!!!

 

[Richard.]

I have complete faith in my workmanship. I just wouldn't undergo a job I don't fully understand if there is a risk to life involved.
I don't know enough about welding a crack in an alloy wheel and given the fact that that wheel will be run into kirbs filled to the wrong pressure bounced on speed bumps and bombed down the motor way at 80 I personally wouldn't do it. That's just me and like I say I'm doing Ali every day.

 

[octo0072000]

I don't see the difference mate. Truck, car, bike or can if it goes wrong it can end in catastrophe. Truck wheels are relatively lower risk as they are steel so you know what your playing with and steel is much more forgiving. I'm not been negative but there is no shame in leaving that to the guys that do it day in day out.

when was the last time you looked at truck wheels lots alloy to keep the weight down trailers as well

http://www.tyretracks.co.uk/

 

[Richard.]

when was the last time you looked at truck wheels lots alloy to keep the weight down trailers as well

http://www.tyretracks.co.uk/

Are they? I thought most of em were steel. Live n learn.

 

[langy]

I would never repair a motorbike wheel or truck wheel.

Quite common place to repair aluminium truck wheels, I know of several companies that do it. They get crack tested.