Welding advice needed

[zman]

I have this bracket for my VW Wabbit that is cracked.. I have tried getting the bracket from wrecking yards with no luck, tried Ebay the last year and one finally came up when I was looking but was broke and couldn't buy it. Dealer doesn't have it
Is it possible to weld this to be a fused piece? As you can see it is cracked where a bolt goes through and would need a complete fusion of metal and would need to be flat on the other side because it mates flat against the block.
Looks like a stamped steel piece, fabricating another would be difficult because it has a curve for the axle to clear..
Any ideas would be great, my knowledge stops at gas and arc welding, any new equipment out there that could do it?
Thanks.

 

[brianinpa]

I assume the other side is what goes against the block... What is it used for? Nothing I see would worry me from trying it. Several small welds to hold it all together and then run a bead or two or three over the entire crack. If necessary, add some bracing material if at all possible.

 

[zman]

brianinpa » Wed Jul 30, 2014 2:30 pm[/url]"jd9cpkj]
I assume the other side is what goes against the block... What is it used for? Nothing I see would worry me from trying it. Several small welds to hold it all together and then run a bead or two or three over the entire crack. If necessary, add some bracing material if at all possible.

Yes the other side has to remain flat but the side showing has to seat the bolts so any beads would obstruct it and would need ground flat where the bolt heads are. It is an exhaust pipe to block brace but it is on a diesel so it gets some shaking and torque because the down pipe flexes.
Haven't actually approached a welder with it but thought I should know what I want before I go to them.

 

[mcgovern61]

Jeff, it should be able to be welded, but, that is a stress fracture meaning the surrounding steel is fatigued. It was most likely started because the bolt hole is too close to the bend which propagated cracks in both directions. Add to that the vibrations for the diesel with expansion and contraction from the exhaust and I am surprised it doesn't look worse.

 

[zman]

Yea..Probably right Gerry, Not sure how much welding cost these days but if I spend on it and it breaks then I am back to square one..I may just keep searching for another one.
Geeesh...parts :head bang:

 

[brianinpa]

Any good welding shop should be able to fix that even with the things you mentioned..

 

[slabghost]

welding shop should fix it pretty easy and probably make it better than new. Looks like a reinforcement plate to cover the bend shouldn't be that difficult. If it were mine I'd have it welded instead of getting another that will also break.

 

[Ansimp]

+1 on repairing your original, cost permitting.

 

[zman]

OK, thanks guys..I`ll take it to a shop and see what it cost and what they can do, years ago I had similar bits welded for 20-30 bucks and if that's the case i`m in for it.

 

[dan filipi]

There are things I like about VW but some things are plain terrible about them.
What a lousy design putting the bolt hole right there.

I would definately beef it up and not waste money on a used one that'll break.
A good welder can do amazing things.
I had one weld an aluminum bell housing that was cracked all the way left to right while it was in the truck!

 

[Ansimp]

dan filipi » Thu Jul 31, 2014 9:04 am[/url]":3c7s6lmz]
I had one weld an aluminum bell housing that was cracked all the way left to right while it was in the truck!

Another faulty VW part :smilie_happy:

 

[dan filipi]

Ansimp » Wed Jul 30, 2014 4:33 pm[/url]":1zix36zw]

dan filipi » Thu Jul 31, 2014 9:04 am[/url]":1zix36zw]
I had one weld an aluminum bell housing that was cracked all the way left to right while it was in the truck!

Another faulty VW part :smilie_happy:

Nope, a Chevy 4 wheel drive.
I was a bit too rough with it off road lol.

 

[Ansimp]

:doh:

 

[OldWrench]

I have done a lot of welding, and that looks like an easy fix. As already stated, any good welder should be able to repair that.