Anyone ever have problems with Welded-up Fuchs?

[J P Stein]

I've inspected about 1000 miles of weld using everything available. I can honestely say I've never met a pinhole I liked. Visual inspection gives (at best) an indication of weld quality. If it looks like hell you can bet it would look even worse
using X-ray or ultrasonic. Anyone can educate ones self to visual flaws.
If you're not familar with visual welding flaws, find someone that is.

Generally, if it looks like S***, it is. It's your ass.

[Jack Olsen]

Conversely, some welds look great -- but aren't.

I've been driving on welded wheels for almost ten years now -- no issues. Mine don't have welded seams along any pressurized areas, but by the look of them the welds wouldn't have a problem with that.

I personally would be a little anxious relying on silicone to maintain air pressure, but most 3-piece wheels do that without any problems.

[lindy 911]

When we test welders to an AWS-1.1 standard pin holes would disqualify any welder for our shop. Also, pretty welds to some are awful welds to others who know what they are looking at. Saying that pin holes are acceptable is simply anything but accurate.

Lindy

[johnnywishbone]

pictures required. there are some really good welders on the pelican forum. it doesn't take dye-check or an x-ray to spot a garbage weld. if the tire changer guy threw up on your wheels, they might be suspect.

[911pcars]

Originally Posted by johnnywishbone

pictures required. there are some really good welders on the pelican forum. it doesn't take dye-check or an x-ray to spot a garbage weld. if the tire changer guy threw up on your wheels, they might be suspect.

As Jack and others have offered, unless you have x-ray vision, one usually cannot inspect for desired weld penetration unless it's sheet metal.

Sherwood

[J P Stein]

Originally Posted by 911pcars

As Jack and others have offered, unless you have x-ray vision, one usually cannot inspect for desired weld penetration unless it's sheet metal.

Sherwood

And your point is?
If you handed 95% (or more) of the people on this board a weld X-ray they wouldn't know a defect if they saw it......unless there were holes big enough to throw a cat thru.

You have a better idea than a visual inspection? The Navy, Coast Guard, & ABS accept visual inspection of structural welds *IF* the welder is certified.
If your welder has no paper.....well, it's your ass.

[911pcars]

Originally Posted by J P Stein

And your point is?
If you handed 95% (or more) of the people on this board a weld X-ray they wouldn't know a defect if they saw it......unless there were holes big enough to throw a cat thru.

You have a better idea than a visual inspection? The Navy, Coast Guard, & ABS accept visual inspection of structural welds *IF* the welder is certified.
If your welder has no paper.....well, it's your ass.

How about: "Take it to a respected tech or welding shop."?

How many on this board would know how to confirm the traction control system is working correctly on a new car? Many perhaps, but the point is to seek the advice of more knowledgeable persons when there's an experience or information gap.

Sherwood

[Nine9six]

Originally Posted by gsjohnson

That is not necessarily accurate. I have seen pin holes in welds for years where the weld has not been compromised. Look at the chassis welds of the older race cars and production unibodys. A very common appearance. I have a production aluminum oil tank that has a couple of pin holes in the bracket by a well known company.

I agree that ideally you would not want an excessive amount of pin holes in any weld, but to say that the weld is a crappy weld is not accurate. This pin hole appearance is usually caused by the mix of the metals not being identical during the welding process.

Welding metals have come a long way in the last 10 years to where welds almost appear to be automated in appearance...a perfect seam.

+1 on what gsjohnson said...Inspection of welds is performed by various NDT methods. Depending on application, pinholes and/or porosity are allowed to a certain extent; again, depending on application and desired level of weld integrity.

[Trackrash]

What about re-heat-treating the wheels after they are welded? Is this commonly done? Is this required or desired? Does anyone do x-Ray inspections?