Strut tube replacement

[jimmy19650]

Has anybody removed and rewelded a strut tube onto a stub axle? I am looking at replacing the strut tube on a RA65 strut with machined tube, and was wondering if anyone has done this, especially regarding post or pre heating before welding. Or does anyone know of anyone who does this commercially? Any help would be appreciated.

[Cool1]

I have done them. And I do them.
We normally fit Bilstien tubes after we get the stubs crack tested.

[jimmy19650]

Do you re-heat treat the stub axle after welding? I am preparing to do this modification soon. My intention is to machine up my own strut with the threaded section as part of the tube, instead of the weld on sleeves that are available. I am assuming the stub axle is cast steel so should weld easily. I wasn't aware that Bilstein made replacement tubes. Do these weld in also? Thanks for the info.

[Cool1]

You shouldn't have to weld the tube that much so treating the welded area is not necessary.
To remove the tube, just cut it off as close to the stub section as possible. We then have a jig that bolts onto the bottom where the ball joint would be and then it goes into the lathe. Using the lathe we just remove the skin of the tube and the weld without removing any of the cast stub area.
Once that is done the new tube is pressed in and then given a very light seam weld around the bottom edge of the tube underneath.

[jimmy19650]

Thanks for the info. That was exactly what I was going to do, just wanted to confirm I was in the right direction. I was even considering threading both the bottom of the tube and the inside of the stub to eliminate the welding process all together. Possibly using a small grub screw to locate the parts together should they decide to unscrew. Will start cutting and machining tomorrow.