Hi

I'm looking to gusset the C's and install nitro press in sleeves on my 2012 2dr Sport and I want to know if I have to pull the ball joints for the gussets?
At work we have a product that is called heat away(or something like that). It's a gel that stops heat transfer when welding for a while, If I spray the ball joints would that be good enough along with alternating from left to right side to prevent heat build up.

Thanks
Peter

 

From what Iv read/seen.... As log as your not getting crazy and laying long beads and alternating from side to side giving the metal time to cool it isn't really and issue... If you've got something to potential keep it cooler then I'd say go for it but i don't think it is necessary to pull anything out of you take your time

 

Stock ball joints are junk. There's a reason why you're beefing up you axle. As long as you're there you might as well replace them with HD ones and not worry about melting the plastic.

 

You can leave your stock ball joints in there, if you take care not to fry them. Removing them isn't necessary.

 

Take a bucket of water with a rag and slop some water up the gusset after you lay down some weld. This with alternating sides should protect the BJs. Replacing them with all the other work your doing wouldn't be a bad idea, although, I'm not sure I would on a 12.

 

This is what my buddy did when he welded mine up, everything turned out fine.

 

Looking to weld on some gussets soon myself. Was curious, since I installed synergy ball joints last year. I really don't want to much them up trying to press them in and out again.
So I wonder if these ball joints are more resistant to weld heat then the stock units? I believe there is plastic in the stock units...the synergys are metal i think?

 

Ditto.

And a wet rag and alternating weld areas does work fine to keep the ball joints cool if you're keeping them.

 

Are you recommending he douse the gussets with water immediately after laying a bead? That is the last thing you should do. Let everything cool on its own, nice and slow. Otherwise they will pull and create issues.

OP, soak a rag and wrap the ball joint. Try to isolate the rag as close to the BJ as possible. Lay a bead on one side and move the the other gusset allowing some time to cool. Soak and rewrap the BJ before every new bead. Take your time and you will not damage anything.

 

D_engle is correct. Never quench a weld bead with water unless you want problems. Just weld slow and alternate side to side. And I do agree with replacing the ball joints with a quality unit. While you've got everything apart, just get it done. I know it's extra cost but wait till you have all the parts and do it all at once.