Magnet18's 1983 310

[Magnet18]

Took a minute to out the banana wraps back on

It's definitely a 10-footer job, but I'm happy enough. Polishing the bumper and painting the grill are next on that list.

And thanks Brad for selling me the lights, perfect fit

[Magnet18]

Got the old bushings out and the new bushings in. One of those things you'll think takes an afternoon and takes all weekend.

The springs were easy, but there was no way to fit the spring beam in the press, ended up using a heavy duty ball joint service kit. Got the job done eventually but took a few hours and a lot of patience.

Borrowed a beefier angle grinder and made pretty quick work of the cutting, plus it doesn't ruin the heat treat, not that that probably matters.

[Air345Fly]

Originally Posted by Magnet18

Borrowed a beefier angle grinder and made pretty quick work of the cutting, plus it doesn't ruin the heat treat, not that that probably matters.

I always wondered about the damage to the heat treat on my torch cut springs but after 34 years it is probably not a problem.

[Magnet18]

Originally Posted by Air345Fly

I always wondered about the damage to the heat treat on my torch cut springs but after 34 years it is probably not a problem.

Yea, it would soften the metal locally but at the very end where the airbags are anyway. If it caused problems I guess we all would have experienced them by now

[Magnet18]

Finished disassembly (got the other spring out) and started painting the wheel well

Reassembly should start tomorrow, hoping for a road test this weekend

[Kota]

Good work!

I’ll be right behind you on that project. Bit of a delay on back ordered Firestone air springs. Already received the Haldex leveling valves and Bilstein shocks.

[Magnet18]

Originally Posted by Kota

Good work!

I’ll be right behind you on that project. Bit of a delay on back ordered Firestone air springs. Already received the Haldex leveling valves and Bilstein shocks.

Thanks!

Yours is the diesel pusher right? Do you have the same suspension? I thought those were a different chassis

[Kota]

Originally Posted by Magnet18

Thanks!



Yours is the diesel pusher right? Do you have the same suspension? I thought those were a different chassis

It’s on a Spartan EC2000 chassis. Different beast but but getting new airbags, shocks, and leveling valves front and rear.

Good to see people tackling these projects. Just like working on a car. Bigger wrenches, bigger parts, and a bigger Jack!

[CynthiaH]

Would love info on those lights. Looking for some myself. Thanks!

Cynthia
1984 310

[Magnet18]

Originally Posted by CynthiaH

Would love info on those lights. Looking for some myself. Thanks!

Cynthia
1984 310

Brad PMd me and let me know the right part number is GM 916558 - might be able to find NOS units

Chris found them at mill supply, part number 66-152
https://www.millsupply.com/amber-parking-lamp-assembly-wi-66152.php?p=451636

[Magnet18]

Drained the diff... Ew

Anyone know if they used a gasket from the factory? There is no gasket, only RTV, which would be a good sign that this isn't the first ever change

[mayco]

There was a gasket on mine when I changed the fluid. I can’t remember where I bought the new gasket but it wasn’t hard to find.

[Magnet18]

Hmm. Pondering the welding.

ACS says it is"extremely important" to
1. Preheat to 5-700 F
2. Use Eutectrode 3026 1/8" TIG rod
3. Weld the center of the spring in 3 passes, staying away from the edges


Airstream, on the other hand
1. Preheat unknown
2. Weld type unknown, but they left a bit of spatter, so probably MIG
3. Welded an interface plate down first, along the edges, presumably to avoid the center of the spring


And I am unsure if I should re-use that interface plate, and if my flux core skills are up to the job. Hmm.

I'm guessing the point of the plate is that, if a weld cracks
1. You have 3 more holding it on
2. A crack along the edge won't break the spring


Based on where they're at, I'm not that concerned. It's not an eye on the end that will fail catastrophically, if all welds failed at worst you would have a terrible ride. Even if the top leaf snaps it's still not catastrophic.

I'd happily take it to a shop for a skilled tig welder to do it, but I think the general consensus outside this specific use case here is that springs are never to be welded.


Hmmmm...

[Magnet18]

As I often do in times of indecision, I fell back on that old mantra, perhaps even poem, that always steers me true. Nut up or shut up

After practicing on offcuts, I propped the spring up so the heat didn't get sucked down to the second one, preheated the area to 700 best I could with a torch (all the way to the end of the color chart, but well before glowing, the colors were quite easy to see) and copied the airstream procedure, down to the offset of the spring

Seems to be doing ok, but I can hear bits of popping as it cools, no bueno. But for all I know the airstream welds did that too, and after grinding the old ones off, they were definitely on their good.

I'll let these two on this side cool overnight, and test their integrity in the morning (hammer, vice grips)

[cmadmaxman]

The spring stirrup needs that 1/4 plate of mild steel to weld to, mild steel to mild steel, then you weld along the edge of that to the spring. DO NOT weld across the springs! That could cause them to crack.
You need to weld with a dissimilar rod, that will weld to mild steel to a harder steel like the springs without the weld cracking.

[Magnet18]

Originally Posted by cmadmaxman

The spring stirrup needs that 1/4 plate of mild steel to weld to, mild steel to mild steel, then you weld along the edge of that to the spring. DO NOT weld across the springs! That could cause them to crack.
You need to weld with a dissimilar rod, that will weld to mild steel to a harder steel like the springs without the weld cracking.

Thanks a lot for the response Chris!

What dissimilar rod did you use?

[cmadmaxman]

Harris Super Missileweld rod should be available at your Airgas store, hopefully not to far away.

[Magnet18]

Originally Posted by cmadmaxman

Harris Super Missileweld rod should be available at your Airgas store, hopefully not to far away.

Thanks Chris!

I could hear too many cracks popping into existence as those cooled to be comfortable, I'll get my hands on some of that and probably grind these two off and start over. Great that it's stick welding rod, that makes it easy.

[Magnet18]

Pleasantly surprised by the two welds, they're on there quite well. But I'll be doing the rest with the proper rod.

I had to order the welding rod online, should be here early next week. So no road test this weekend, but I have plenty to do either way

[PeterH-350LE]

Pretty impressive, Rob. Hats off for sticking with it and getting it done the right way !