Shop to weld axle tubes

[USNZT84]

I just pulled my 8.8 out of my mustang and want to get my axle tubes welded, I was wondering if you guys knew of a shop that could do it. I heard a jig must be used b/c the tubes move toward the weld.any help would be great

[BAD BOB]

ive welded a few without a jig by just putting some 1/2 tacks across from each other and then filling in the gap. never had and issue. You could check with CMX, i believe they have a jig for shortening axles so that could be used.

[Qwik_Sn95]

I just picked mine up yesterday and it was still in the jig. I got the tubes welded and 9" ends. I know people say u can do it like bob said but I just think there's a jig for a reason.

[DIGGLER]

welding tends to move stuff around even with a jig. you can weld a housing up in a jig and still need to straighten it afterwards.
when adding a back brace to a 9", some places use offset bushings on their jig to accommodate the pull from the brace being welded on. they weld the housing crooked, and the back brace pulls it back straight, so to speak.

[cliff-1972]

Never used a jig on all the ones I have done.If you take your time,let it cool and do it in quarters it comes out fine.I can see it warping if someone would weld continuously non-stop.In your question you are referring to just welding the center section to the axle tubes,correct?

[USNZT84]

Originally Posted by cliff-1972

Never used a jig on all the ones I have done.If you take your time,let it cool and do it in quarters it comes out fine.I can see it warping if someone would weld continuously non-stop.In your question you are referring to just welding the center section to the axle tubes,correct?

yea thats all im trying to do. nothing to crazy. This will be a street driven car that Ill take to the track when i have time. I just want it done right. Anyone got a number to CMX?

[BAD BOB]

832 7715

[DIGGLER]

Originally Posted by cliff-1972

Never used a jig on all the ones I have done.If you take your time,let it cool and do it in quarters it comes out fine.I can see it warping if someone would weld continuously non-stop.In your question you are referring to just welding the center section to the axle tubes,correct?

how did you verify it was straight when you were done?

[DIGGLER]

the jig isnt so much for holding it straight as you weld per se..... i believe the intended purpose of most 1 1/4" bar jigs is to put everything in the right spot so you can get it tacked together. then you undo the jig and weld it. otherwise you may not be able to get the jig back out. also, the tubes can be off a good bit, but the housing ends need to be dead straight for it to be correct. alot of narrowed rearends look like a blind man welded the ends on, and thats because the housing wasnt straight. they just put the jig in there, aligned the housing ends, and welded them in place even though the tubes are off 1/4" or more.

[cliff-1972]

Diggler,I squared off the axle tubing itself.Here's a story about one I did.On my old Pro car,70 Nova,the 12 bolt thats was narrowed under it when I bought it.The fellow who did,name with holding,did a shitty job on it.I went to remove the axle shafts and they were hard to slide out.Once the axle bearing was free and past the end housing it was 3/8" off center of the hole.In other words,it was side loading the bearing itself.I had another 12 bolt housing so I built another rear end.

Here is how I did it.I use a 4" pipe cutter to make a square reference line around the axle tube for my cut mark.I then use a port-a-band to cut the tube.I'll make a jig to hold the end housing so I can tack it.After I tack square using a framing square and tape measure I TIG weld it out.I do a open butt weld so it has full penetration.Weld the root pass in quarters.

I agree it would be nice to have a jig to set it up with but this way has worked for me.

To the original poster I would be glad to weld on your axle if still need it done.PM me.