Steering And New Dana 30 Upgrade

I like to preheat the knuckle just a bit, then carefully weld the flange all the way around and allow to cool slowly. Then I lightly dress the surface that the nut will contact to it sits flat.
This of course is easier done with the axle upside down.....

 

Looks Great. Getting underneath is going to be tricky. Any idea what size drill and or reamer I should get to get a bit tighter fit? The 3/4 bit didn’t do to bad at .7590, but even at that the insert wiggles around a bit, not really a snug fit. Have you had any issues with your flange nuts?

 

I just use a 3/4” drill bit in a 20v cordless drill. Just drill nice and straight. You could dimple the hole if you wanted to tighten it up. The taper of the tie rod end will flare the inserts out a little bit when you tighten them down.
I don’t use the flange nuts, I prefer castle nuts and cotter keys…. They never back off!

 

You did a great job welding those in! I also like the castle nuts. I think I’ll tack these in and have a trained welder do what you did!

 

Norcal69,
Did you do that with a stick welder? Nice work whatever method you used.

 

Thanks for the compliments guys.

I heat them till dark red and weld them with an old airco 220v wire feed. After welding I immediately slide an old welding glove over them, so they cool slowly, and walk away.