Welding Front Trailing Arms?

CBDZ_CBDZ · Post by **CBDZ_CBDZ** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 8:03 am

I am wanted to reinforce the front trailing arms with some welded gussets. Has anybody done this at "home"? Is this something that I should leave to a professional?

jsturtlebuggy · Post by **jsturtlebuggy** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 6:26 pm

First question I would ask is why do you want to weld a gusset on the trailing arm? The stock trailing arm are very strong and hard to bend or break. The only way I have ever bend one or broken one was when I was using them on a off road racing buggy. They make aftermarket trailing arms for link pin front ends that are stronger than stock. If you do want to add a gusset to the trailing arms use as low of heat as you can for the penitration that is needed. A TIG welder would be ideal, a MIG welder works. Arc welding also works just makes more heat.

GotManx · Post by **GotManx** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 6:35 pm

Most off road shops (Off Road Warehouse, McKenzies, Kartek) carry premanufactured gussets that can just be welded onto your arms. If you have access to a wire feed welder and are comfortable with it, it's no problem at all.

fubar · Post by **fubar** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 10:15 pm

If you tig weld them you might have better luck with a stainless fill rod. Forged steel and HRS want to get porosity with mild steel fill rod. I use 308 alloy SS rod on steel all the time.