Big Barn’s Retirement Farm Shop

[ovrszd]

Okay, shop question.... I run a swaybar on the rear axle of Mary Jane. Purpose being to control body roll. When I swapped in larger axles I also lowered my stance a bit. Now the links of my swaybar are too long. I need to shorten them 3". My mic says they are .465" diameter. A hard steel of some type I assume.

Can I cut out a 3" section and butt weld them back together and get by?

Any/all suggestions are welcome.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I would vote for getting some new threaded rods, 3" shorter.

 

[TMGT]

Okay, shop question.... I run a swaybar on the rear axle of Mary Jane. Purpose being to control body roll. When I swapped in larger axles I also lowered my stance a bit. Now the links of my swaybar are too long. I need to shorten them 3". My mic says they are .465" diameter. A hard steel of some type I assume.

Can I cut out a 3" section and butt weld them back together and get by?

Any/all suggestions are welcome.

View attachment 688094


View attachment 688095

Cut and sleeve it, plug weld towards the base of the rod in the sleeve and do a full weld around where the rod goes into the sleeve. I'd recommend at least 3/16 wall for the sleeve.

 

[ovrszd]

I would vote for getting some new threaded rods, 3" shorter.

I contacted the maker and surprisingly they didn't offer different length links. I'll have to find a supplier that offers that size in the length I need. Not impossible but will require some research for sure.

I was just trying to be lazy and make my own.....

 

[ovrszd]

Cut and sleeve it, plug weld towards the base of the rod in the sleeve and do a full weld around where the rod goes into the sleeve. I'd recommend at least 3/16 wall for the sleeve.

I like that idea. I don't have any sleeve onhand. Will have to visit the local welding shop if I go that route.

Do you not think it can be welded?

 

[Big Barn]

I like TMGT’s sleeve and weld procedure. I have done the same several times.

You will have strength, proper alignment and an OEM looking piece.

 

[ovrszd]

I like TMGT’s sleeve and weld procedure. I have done the same several times.

You will have strength, proper alignment and an OEM looking piece.

Fine then.

 

[TMGT]

I like that idea. I don't have any sleeve onhand. Will have to visit the local welding shop if I go that route.

Do you not think it can be welded?

Know anyone with a lathe? Can just make your own.

If it is a higher carbon steel then pre and post heat wont hurt and might want to tig it if you have the capabilities.

 

[ovrszd]

Know anyone with a lathe? Can just make your own.

If it is a higher carbon steel then pre and post heat wont hurt and might want to tig it if you have the capabilities.

No lathe available. No tig either.

I'll go to the big city tomorrow and try to locate a piece of sleeve.

If I tried butt welding and it failed I would have to report the outcome. Then withstand the ribbing I'd get from you's guys.

 

[Big Barn]

No lathe available. No tig either.

I'll go to the big city tomorrow and try to locate a piece of sleeve.

If I tried butt welding and it failed I would have to report the outcome. Then withstand the ribbing I'd get from you's guys.

You're totally overreacting. We'd only rib you about it until your next screwup.