4 Link bracket fitting/welding advice Needed

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Aug 20, 2013 | 06:23 PM

lowtrkn2k

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From: Katy(Houston), Texas

4 Link bracket fitting/welding advice Needed

TCI says I can shim the 4 link axle brackte to fit on my 8.8 axle which is 2.75". This bracket seems to be for a 3" axle, I was originally going with a 9" axle a few years ago when I bought the kit. Unfortunalty I have one of the 8.8's with the smaller tubes so now I have to make this fit since TCI doesn't have smaller brackets and if I can make these fit and not have to spend extra coin then that would be great.

My idea to shim this would be to cut stips aproximately 1/2" wide of the same thickness as the bracket material (aprox 3/16ths) and weld those strips to the brackets. Then weld the bracktes to the axle.

I'd rather get some advice from the more experienced on here before making a major screwup which I'll have to correct later. Anyone see anything wrong with this strategy or have a better idea?

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Last edited by lowtrkn2k; Aug 20, 2013 at 06:33 PM. Reason: trying to get image to post

Aug 21, 2013 | 01:04 AM

Olweldinrig

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From: Edenwold Saskatchewan

Your picture is not very clear in showing the gap.But I would try cone stone the saddle out to get the tube to fit as tightly as possible.As soon as you start to fill gap and add extra metal/heat to it you will distort your tubes.The strips are going to take a lot of excess weld to cover and will definitely warp axle.

Aug 21, 2013 | 10:13 AM

AXracer

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From: Durham NC

I believe you are over thinking the problem. If the brackets are C shaped, put the bracket against the axle it wll touch in the center and have a tapered gap from zero at the center to 1/8" at the ends. Simply cut a length of 1/8" rod slightly shorter than the length of the gap and grind it to a taper (actually easier if you grind it first then cut off). Bend it to a curve and slip it into the gap. Do the same on the other side of the bracket. When welding the bracket to the axle concentrate the heat a little more to the bracket than the axle tube and weave the weld over the filler wire. Any welder good enough to weld the brackets safely should be able to handle this.

Aug 21, 2013 | 10:31 AM

lowtrkn2k

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From: Katy(Houston), Texas

Thanks for the response Olweldinrig. I thought about that but it would be difficult to keep the dementions on both sides with the gap being about 3/16ths and it would seem that I would need to grind it a good amount to fit as it should.

Ax I like your idea. I think grinding a rod to fit the gap should close the gap perfectly. One question, are talking about welding rod and if so is there a particular type I should use?

Aug 21, 2013 | 10:44 AM

AXracer

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From: Durham NC

To fill the gap? Not welding rod, just plain mild steel rod from the hardware store. I keep several lengths on hand, it comes in handy a lot, like for building up the edge of a door to close up a gap. Weld it to the edge of the door, grind it to the required thickness.

Aug 21, 2013 | 10:54 AM

lowtrkn2k

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From: Katy(Houston), Texas

ahhhh...got ya. I actually have some of that in my garage from a previous project that should work out if not I'll swing by HD and find the correct size.