I don't have access to a welder nor the knowledge. I would have no issue installing the axle sleeves myself, but without a welder, i'm in a crappy position. I also moved recently so I don't have anyone that I know who could help. So tonight I decided to take off the wheel and get some axle prep done myself, to try and help cut down the labor cost.

Am I wasting my time doing this? Does it look like Im doing a somewhat decent job, or totally wrong? I feel I am almost completely done with the driver side, with a couple more touch up spots. Will finish it up this weekend.

 

Are you talking about gussets or sleeves? By the looks of your paint removal, you are talking about gussets.

As far as wasting time, depends. Depending on environment. You have 1-5 days to weld on the metal you cleaned. Generally speaking. Toss some flux core at it and you can weld it rusty. The cleaner the metal, the better the weld.

So, if you were coming to my place to have stuff welded on, I'd defiantly charge you more if I had to prep the weld area and I'd cut you a deal if it was already prepped.

First step is to find someone who welds.

 

The only place I know in town that is reputable is Dixie 4 Wheel Drive. Im dropping it off weds morning to be done. Now the environment i'm in is very dry (110 degree's and no rain), so I assume no rust will build by weds. Yes gusset and axles sleeves are being done at the same time. Im trying to do whatever I can on my own to help knock down the labor. Prepping the weld area is about the only thing I can thing of besides taking the axle out, knuckles off, and bringing it in there. But with my work schedule, it just wont happen.

 

Yes to waste of time but it looks like you have a lot of it. If these guys do this every day they'll maybe credit you about 10 cents for each hour you prepped. Come on. If they don't have a customer line up out the door they make their money per job...not per hour.

 

Yup I understand and I'm a customer who is allowing them to work on my vehicle and give them my service, but trying to save some kid of money here. 10 cents and hour for me doing it? This shop is well known in the near by area and has people driving jeeps from around the country to build them. They charge by the hour and was quoted this being a 5 hour job. I'll be happy if I can get that knocked down to 4 hours because I just saved them some prep time for the gussets. I'm not looking at saving 3 hours of labor for my prep work but at least something, not no 10 cents.

 

For someone experienced, prepping the weld area takes 5 minutes at a max. Generally speaking, you want to clean then weld. Any delay allows contamination to weld area. You'd be surprised how fast bare steel can oxidize. If it's much more than a day or two, I clean the weld area again. The cleaner the metal the better and stronger the weld.

No biggie though. Just hit those spots with a wire wheel the night before and wipe down with acetone. Then it will be good to go. Probably a whole lot cleaner than they'd make it. I hate the prep for gussets because it's all so hard to get to. At the very least, they'll probably do better work for you just because you made the effort.

Also, the gussets are mild steel and will have a coating of mill scale on them. A lot of places don't care and weld right over it. I can't bring myself to do that as it contaminates the weld. I'd remove the mill from any area on the gussets that will be welded on. Assume the bead will go 1/4" onto the gusset. You'll want to use something with power (flap disc, air angle grinder, etc.).

 

Well I guess its worth a shot to get some kind of a break here. Maybe i'm hoping for more than what i'm going to get out of it, but oh well. Just started on the passenger side but ill wait to finish it all the night before so its fresh.

 

You should really call the shop and ask them they'll be able to answer all your questions.

 

Ill talk to them when I bring it in. If it happens great, if not, then oh well.