shock absorber bracket

[peter frost]

Hi brad its an Audi R8

 

[hotponyshoes]

Same car, audi r8.

 

[hotponyshoes]

You need to get the proper info, I had it all for an A8 and there were something like 12 different grades of alloy in that car!!

I will see the guy over the weekend so will see what else he has found out about it

 

[peter frost]

Thanks hotpony shoes

 

[hotponyshoes]

The proper Audi repair guy gave me the details of the mig welder needed to do the repair, I am tempted to get one as I would like to try a twin pulse mig but it was £5k or something. ..

 

[eddie49]

On Wednesday night ITV4 showed the film "Ronin", which includes a great car chase with an Audi S8. Ever since I saw that movie I have wanted one.

 

[hotponyshoes]

You might also want to find out why an approved audi repair center would want to take the windscreen out.
I have seen instructions to cover glass etc. with welding blankets in the tech docs before so that makes me think it's not just to protect it from splatter.
I expect there is a risk of it cracking as the frame moves from the heating/cooling from the weld unless it's in the way of an alignment jig or something?

 

[daedalusminos]

The A8 "space frame" is constructed from aluminium castings, pressings and extrusions joined with a combination of welding, rivets and adhesive....not straight forward!

 

[Brad93]

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.motor1.com/news/275490/audi-r8-frame-fix/amp/

“Professional Welder” my ass. What a crap repair.

Anyhow this guy smashed the windscreen pulling the chassis back

 

[Brad93]

The proper Audi repair guy gave me the details of the mig welder needed to do the repair, I am tempted to get one as I would like to try a twin pulse mig but it was £5k or something. ..

Usually certain repairers use certain machines that they’ve bought into and that’s all that can be used on their car. CEA, GYS, Fronius all have contracts with certain manufacturers.

I’d just as soon tig weld it. Be a much neater and possibly stronger joint unless the part is like 10mm thick.

 

[peter frost]

Thanks Brad i have miller dynasty 200 dx tig plate is only 3 mm thick, esab have replied saying use 4043

 

[Richard.]

There is no question that there are some extremely knowledgeable people on the Esab consumable team but I’m struggling to work out how they came to give you a filler recommendation based on very little information about the extrusion or cast grade. However if that information came out of the Esab process centre from a person I know extremely well down there then I would trust that advice 100% no question.
If the part of the repair is as you say a cast aluminium then unless I’m missing something I would certainly prefer a Tig repair to pulsed mig. Far better chance of a cleaner weld where pores are inevitable. I haven’t actually seen this part or crack or repair and I’m speculating here so if you could attach some pictures to your post it would make advise a lot easier. I’ve carried out hundreds of cast aluminium repairs from manifolds, heads, motorbike cases and swing arms etc and everything needs a slightly different approach so a picture speaks volumes.

 

[peter frost]

Thank you Richard for the reply ,I have a miller dynasty tig welder so will be tig welding ,the crack is only about 25 mm long and the re enforcing plate covers it all. Idont have any photos at moment if you google Audi R8 bulkhead crack there are lots on there

 

[hotponyshoes]

They look something like this (not my photos)
Crack 1st, 2nd photo is the audi reinforcement patch.
There seems to be a vast difference between fitting a renforcment patch to an undamaged on and fixing one that has already cracked though.
Probably something to do with the alignment of the suspension on a 180mph car maybe...

 

[anto44]

Personally I'd tig that myself if it was my car. If esab recommends 4043 I'd imagine they were very confident it's suitable to use, if they had any doubt they would have given you the "refer to the vehicle manufacturers repair guidelines" speach to cover themselves. They've probably been contacted before about this application and already have done their research into it.

 

[Dcal]

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.motor1.com/news/275490/audi-r8-frame-fix/amp/

“Professional Welder” my ass. What a crap repair.

Anyhow this guy smashed the windscreen pulling the chassis back

What a mess!

I'd be embarrassed to post than on here and I'm not shy about posting my crap welding let alone expect anyone to drive it.

 

[Shox Dr]

Has anyone watched the video on facebook, with audi a8 estate in two bits, does look like it had been in an accident either.
Its on the balnet claims page
(Sorry dont know how to link to fb)

 

[Richard.]

I’ve just watched that video and I disagree completely, I think he didn’t do too bad a job of welding that considering the fact there wasn’t an easy way to comfortably get to it all and prop. Leaning over a bonnet with two spanner’s can be uncomfortable enough let alone welding. It wasn’t particularly tidy but then we can’t compare it to a sheet metal job in a jig can we? it’s 2 patches over a bent cracked chassis using various welding positions while leaning over an engine and tucked in a wheel arch which is far from an easy task.

 

[123hotchef]

Thanks Brad i have miller dynasty 200 dx tig plate is only 3 mm thick, esab have replied saying use 4043

nice welder!

 

[Richard.]

nice welder!

They are rubbish