Thread: Does this look safe?

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Weld the plate to the axle and get rid of the spacers. Metalurgically speaking, you will only rearrange the steel molecules about 1/16" into the axle forging which will not reduce its strength appreciably. Be sure to let the welds air cool, however, and do not use water or other means to cool them quicker. Doing so would cause the molecules to shrink and create a stress riser area around the welds.

I don't want to turn this into a HAMB vs. whoever thread, but of late there's been a whole lot of noobs coming onto the HAMB.
That's ok, most are there to learn and share.
And like other places in life, some are hard drinking, tattooed, opinionated think they're hot rodders and figure their way is the only way and flinging insults is the way to do it.
Many of these self-styled experts don't run a hot rod, don't build them and are just there for who knows what?

Just ignore the stuff slingers and you'll probably find what you want to know.
There are a lot of highly expert people on the board - just as there is here.

I take part in a few hot rod sites and one of them is kinda funny.
A few of the participants absolutely hate the HAMB and make sure to say so at every opportunity.
Some, don't care for it and let it slide without commenting.
But . . . quite a few of them say the HAMB is a place for great tech info, but they don't go there because they got insulted once upon a time.

Makes me wonder at times....

C9, you are right, I am maybe making a snap judgement based on a few things I have seen. My Son has been well received there, and the comments to him have always been kind and complimentary. Some of the language bothers me, but I came from a different generation. I still can't bring myself to say some words in front of a woman, even though she is using the same words herself.

They have a high membership count, and the knowledge base seems very good.


So, I concede you are correct in that, and I made some generalized statements, and we all know what happens when you do that.


Don

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

C9, you are right, I am maybe making a snap judgement based on a few things I have seen. My Son has been well received there, and the comments to him have always been kind and complimentary. Some of the language bothers me, but I came from a different generation. I still can't bring myself to say some words in front of a woman, even though she is using the same words herself.

They have a high membership count, and the knowledge base seems very good.


So, I concede you are correct in that, and I made some generalized statements, and we all know what happens when you do that.


Don

Me too on the bad language in front of women.
Sweetie told me once that the F-word was a good strong word that has it's uses and she was glad I didn't use it as a part of normal conversation.
The comment came right after I'd smashed a finger and was doing the little dance of despair and pain with accompanying lyrics from the dictionary of very bad words....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Anyhoo - I read through the stuff on the HAMB and it looks like some good info is coming along.

I didn't enter into the conversation since I don't have any real experience with the F1's - other than having one on my gotta own one of those one of these days list.

Are you guys trying to get the F1 down extra low?
Or just a nice noticeable, but still practical drop?

I'm wondering how re-arched - flatter - springs would work combined with a "C" on the frame to allow spring travel?

14" wheels and the right tires with the right profile can get the F1 down another 1/2" - 1 1/2" or so.

Another thought is, if - big word there - the F100 axle has more drop in stock form, could one of those be adapted without too much trouble?

Z'ing the frame in front is a viable option as well.
Granted, Z'ing creates problems with sheet metal mounting and the like, but it may be easier than what's being done and what may have to be done to accomplish using the F1 axle on top of the springs.

Looking at the pics - and it may be the angle of the shot - it looks like the steering arm may end up creating a conflict between spring pack and tie rod.

In any event, a lot of things will be learned and a lot of work will be done.
And if we were afraid of that, none of us would be in the hot rod game....

No sheet metal in the front. I z'ed the back, but didn't want to get into that in the front as well. I may get away with the steering and tie rod, I may not, I really won't know until I get it together. I am sure I will come up with a solution that will be dangerous and half assed like this one!
Thanks,
CHAZ

Not sure of the difference from a rear end on spings and u-bolts,..but I was in a accident where we got t-boned right in the rear axel at 60+ mph and it just sheared one side of the u- bolts.Drove it home dog tracking and put new u-bolts on it and a axel and was fine.The car that hit us was totaled and the truck just looked like it was high centered and had minimal bed damage at the bottom in front of tire.It was a pretty good impact as it spun us 2 1/2 times in a circle from the impact.I would make sure and use grade 8 or better and make sure that bottom plate has a locator pin or welded.

Me too on the bad language in front of women.
Sweetie told me once that the F-word was a good strong word that has it's uses and she was glad I didn't use it as a part of normal conversation.
The comment came right after I'd smashed a finger and was doing the little dance of despair and pain with accompanying lyrics from the dictionary of very bad words....



Women have a way of bringing sensibility to a situation. One time I did something to hurt myself, and was chewing the thing that hurt me out royally with a string of expletives. My Girlfriend at the time looked at me and said "Honey, do you realize you are yelling at an inanimate object ?" Kinda puts you in your place when that happens.

Don

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

I'm wondering why the suggestions to weld the plate to the axle. I see no strength advantage there. The plate is simply a pad or spacer. Besides, I wouldn't want to apply heat to the axle and take a chance on messing up the grain structure and weakening the axle.


Well, I just overengineer everything, and felt by welding the plate to the axle it would give a measure of rigidity to the whole thing. As for messing up anything by welding on it, I don't think so. This axle is a big chunk of steel, and the little welds he will be doing won't affect it, IMO. Like everything else, spread the welding out over two sides to keep the heat to a minimum.

We weld all the time on thinner components than this, and no harm is done.


Don

Don,

I believe the axle is cast iron. That was my only point. Welding steel to CI takes a careful welder, and does have the possibility of weakening the CI. That's all I was thinking.

I thought the axles were all forged, or else you couldn't heat them and drop them like so many people do?
Thanks,
CHAZ

I didn't mean to sound like I was busting on the HAMB board, those guys know what they are doing. The longer the post went on I got the helpful hints and encouragements that I needed. It just always tans my hide when the first thing someone says is drop what you are trying now and do something completely different because I say so.

Axles are steel. Some were cast steel, most are forged.

My error. . . . . . . . . .

That's alright Jack. Last week I almost killed a bunch of people with my "coughing during a heart attack tip."


Don

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

Here is just one of the "helpful" suggestions he got on brand X forum.





What Ya Need To Do Is Stop Being A Cheap Ass And Have The Axle Dropped 4" ..... Then Have The Main Leaf Reversed Or Buy A Pair Of Them Mono~leaf Lowering Springs.
Its Crap Like This That Makes The Whole Hot Rod Community Look Bad.......
Then They Start Calling You A "rat Rodder" For A Reason


Tell you what, Chaz.......next time you think about asking those guys for help, just pick up a hammer and hit yourself in the head. The result will be the same, and it will save you a whole lot of typing.


Don

dude, whom peed in your Cheerios?

Making due with what you had, and fabricating what you don't is the name of the game. just make it strong, make it safe I guess.

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

Me too on the bad language in front of women.
Sweetie told me once that the F-word was a good strong word that has it's uses and she was glad I didn't use it as a part of normal conversation.
The comment came right after I'd smashed a finger and was doing the little dance of despair and pain with accompanying lyrics from the dictionary of very bad words....

I often curse inanimate objects. It allows me to vent, and they ( the inanimate object ) don't seem to mind much.

One year of Ford pickup axles have more drop than the rest. I think it's 1957, but it's only about an inch more.