OK, I have been thinking about welding the spider gears in my differential, And I have been thinking, instead of welding it solid, could you weld the gap between two teeth solid, and kinda achieve a locked differential, but it still able to move forward or backward a little bit, but only to the welded spot, and then be locked...
Just me thinking, just wondering if that would work, or am I better off if I was to weld it solid...
Thanks for any thoughts on the matter,
Matt

It has been done before but I wouldn't. I'd just weld it solid. 1 it would be alot stronger and 2 you'd know for sure how it will act.

Ok, Thanks..
I was just wonderig if it is possible...
Matt

welding the spider gears, but leaving a little play in them is a way bad idea. With the forces involved, it would take no time at all for that little play to grow into a full blown ka-boom! I've seen this happen in 14bff's where the welds weren't sufficient (its common practice to weld only the gears in this axle).

some will weld all 4 spiders to each other (solidly), and call it good there. However, it doesn't take much more effort to plate the center and the extra strength this affords is well worth it IMO.

be careful... if you're wrong with what you do here, you risk trashing your entire R&P with the shrapnel.

-Rob

Thanks for the warning, I thought it might not work to well, Cause I think over time the gears would grind the weld into little chunks, or maybe even chip the teeth, and then the chunks would probably cause some sort of problem...

If I were to weld the rear solid, does it affect it much on pavement?
Thanks,
Matt

its mostly going to effect slow, tight parking lot manevors. If you drive stick, it will likely change your timing of when you push in the clutch. You'll make some churping noises and cause a little extra tire wear and put some extra stress on your axle components. But all and all, its not too bad, just don't expect your driving style to remain the same.

If you don't wanna go that far, pay attention to the 12-bolt drop in lockers Matt @ Indy4x is getting made up. You'll get better road characteristics than welding without the price tag of an ARB.

-Rob

OK, thanks..
I've been thinking about the aussie lockers, I would rather pay for one of those than pay twice that much for an arb...
I might just have to save up, and get the lift kit I want, and get an aussie locker at the same time...
Thanks again,
Matt

He should have a 10 bolt rear in the 86. Matt's already got those out. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Richard <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />