Page 1 of 1
acetylene torch setup to borrow??
Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2011 3:01 pm
by ChrisD
Does anyone have a portable acetylene torch setup that I can use? (will pay for the gas) Before I swap out my front axle, I want to heat up the pass side ball joint opening (the ball joint has wiggled out, need to re-seat it).
According to Mitchell driveline this happens often and applying head will shrink the opening, then add Loctite 609 or 603.
Would like to try this route before swapping axles.
Re: acetylene torch setup to borrow??
Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2011 3:06 pm
by nostaw
Worst case, U-Do-It in Nashua has an oxy-acetelyne torch which can be used by customers... If you go over there you could do it, but you'd have to get the axle there and pay some $ to rent a bay or something. You could get help from who ever is working there if you need it.
I used the torch to remove a broken bolt that had sized when I serviced the brakes on my Subaru, so I know they have it.
JW
Re: acetylene torch setup to borrow??
Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2011 3:10 pm
by ChrisD
good point... I called Taylor Rental and they no longer rent acetylene torches
Was told that I need to get the opening glowing hot then let site for 1/2 to cool. This should shrink the hole by .007, the loctite would keep it in place with the crazy shear strength.
Re: acetylene torch setup to borrow??
Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2011 6:18 pm
by johnsxj
Wish I thought of that!!!!! Discovered the upper ball joint had loosened up after the last run (the side that I kept having to swap joints). So I cleaned the joint and inner "C" then broke out the welder to put a few welds on. Being a Moog upper joint, I shouldn't have to worry about things for quite a while so long as the welds hold.
Re: acetylene torch setup to borrow??
Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2011 6:55 pm
by ChrisD
Mitchell stated NOT to do that... the heat from the weld would start to melt the inner ball joint.
Re: acetylene torch setup to borrow??
Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2011 8:14 pm
by ZAEDOCK
Chris wrote:Mitchell stated NOT to do that... the heat from the weld would start to melt the inner ball joint.
Only if you screw up. Dropping a few beads has been the typical garage fix for many a year. I don't know how many BJ's I've zapped on GM A, G, X, and F body's. There really isn't too much danger if it's an upper (upper joints on XJ/YJ/TJ 30's are locating only - not load bearing).
Re: acetylene torch setup to borrow??
Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2011 9:04 am
by ChrisD
Also found out that Permatex 6400 is the same as Loctite 640 (for the folks that can't get their hands on loctite.
Re: acetylene torch setup to borrow??
Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2011 4:37 pm
by Frank
Cjs Also ! I fit in somewhere. FjR68