Welding spring perches to camaro axle

[sixtwoeight]

Sorry if this is in the wrong section, wasnt quite sure which section would be best...anyway...
I need to weld on new spring perches to the axle as it is going on the chevy pickup. Can I weld them to the axle without the axle being stripped down or is that not the way to do it. Should the axle be stripped to just its case??
Any pointers?
Much appreciated, thanks.

 

[Jan]

I would expect that you would be better served doing the welding with a stick setup due to the thickness of the materials being used. Unless the axle is a machined cast unit (quite possible) then no strip down should be necessary.
BUT ... if it is you will not be able to get a strong weld without stripping it down, removing all the seals and both pre- and post- heating it to prevent heat stresses from cracking up all the welds.

 

[PSweeney]

unless you have a line up bar, you're better off leaving the diff and shafts in IMO. Start each weld on opposite side of the perch to minimise distorting the case and make sure the pinion angle is correct.

 

[sixtwoeight]

Thanks, nice and quick replies!

Thats good i was hoping to not have to strip the axle down.

I am planning on setting the engine 3 degrees down (towards the rear) , so il set the axle at 3 degrees up then (pointing up towards the front).

 

[chevy2]

Set your axle up on the car at ride height and rotate the axle for the correct pinion angle,
Tack the spring perches in place,
Remove the axle from the car and bench weld them on,
keeping the shafts in place wont stop the casing from warping, the only way to minimise it is to fit an alignment bar through the length of the axle but with a camaro 10/12 bolt rear you'll need to remove the complete diff and fit bungs in the diff bearing caps and housing ends, a bit overkill for just welding spring perches on if you dont a jig?

As the perches are near the ends of the axle you shouldn't suffer to much warpage,
just weld them on and apply damp rags on the axle case ends to keep the heat away from the bearings and oil seals.

 

[langy]

Set your axle up on the car at ride height and rotate the axle for the correct pinion angle,
Tack the spring perches in place,
Remove the axle from the car and bench weld them on,
keeping the shafts in place wont stop the casing from warping, the only way to minimise it is to fit an alignment bar through the length of the axle but with a camaro 10/12 bolt rear you'll need to remove the complete diff and fit bungs in the diff bearing caps and housing ends, a bit overkill for just welding spring perches on if you dont a jig?

As the perches are near the ends of the axle you shouldn't suffer to much warpage,
just weld them on and apply damp rags on the axle case ends to keep the heat away from the bearings and oil seals.

X2, this is the way

 

[sixtwoeight]

Thanks to chevy2 and to Steve, thats very helpful.