Georgia Fiero Club Forum

All Things Fiero => Tech Tips, Tech Questions => Topic started by: GTRS Fiero on November 03, 2019, 07:57:16 am

Title: Aluminum weld
Post by: GTRS Fiero on November 03, 2019, 07:57:16 am: Question for scottb, or anyone who knows.

What is that black stuff in the welds on the WCF dog bone, as pictured in the Nov2019 newsletter?
Title: Re: Aluminum weld
Post by: scottb on November 03, 2019, 11:13:46 am: Shadows? I looked through the newsletter and couldnt find what you are talking about. Can you put up the picture?
Title: Re: Aluminum weld
Post by: GTRS Fiero on November 03, 2019, 12:43:23 pm: I don't believe it's shadows. I can feel the difference, and it's still there with the flash.

I wasn't trying to rail on them in the newsletter.
Title: Re: Aluminum weld
Post by: TopNotch on November 03, 2019, 02:38:47 pm: Up close, that doesn't look like aluminum -- looks like stainless steel (the metal beyond the welding). The welding looks like steel welding also.
Title: Re: Aluminum weld
Post by: GTRS Fiero on November 03, 2019, 04:52:24 pm: Well, they told me it was aluminum, other people told me it was aluminum, and here is the description from their web site:
Quote
The ultimate dog bone for your Fiero. This custom made dog bone is made of welded aircraft grade aluminum tubing for lightness, appearance and performance. The competition engineered urethane mounts are bolt-in replacements for the stock rubber torque arm. You will never need to replace this arm. Custom length dog bones available upon request at no additional charge.
Title: Re: Aluminum weld
Post by: GTRS Fiero on November 03, 2019, 04:58:15 pm: I should also mention that, after I saw your post, I tested all the dog bones with a magnet. The magnet is not attracted to the WCF dog bone. Stainless steel should still attract a magnet.
Title: Re: Aluminum weld
Post by: NoMad on November 03, 2019, 05:56:08 pm: Most stainless is non-Ferris and will not attract a magnet.
Title: Re: Aluminum weld
Post by: GTRS Fiero on November 03, 2019, 05:59:15 pm: If Bueller isn't a good determinant, what is?
Title: Re: Aluminum weld
Post by: scottb on November 03, 2019, 06:01:41 pm: Stainless steel magnatism depends on the grade, most are non magnetic.

The dark spots on the aluminum welds looks like oxidation from the cleaning cycle of welding (aluminum is welded with AC). Nothing to be worried about. If you are worried about the appearance, you should be able to polish it off with a metal polish.
Title: Re: Aluminum weld
Post by: GTRS Fiero on November 03, 2019, 06:03:21 pm: So, it is aluminum, or could still be stainless steel?
Title: Re: Aluminum weld
Post by: scottb on November 03, 2019, 07:21:49 pm: Definitely aluminum, probably 6061
Title: Re: Aluminum weld
Post by: GTRS Fiero on November 03, 2019, 07:24:00 pm: Ok. Elbow grease it is! Maybe there's an attachment I could put on my drill...
Title: Re: Aluminum weld
Post by: scottb on November 03, 2019, 08:45:30 pm: There are, check on AutoGeek.com
Title: Re: Aluminum weld
Post by: GTRS Fiero on January 19, 2020, 10:15:48 am: Quote from: scottb on November 03, 2019, 06:01:41 pm
Stainless steel magnatism depends on the grade, most are non magnetic.

Iron is the magnetic part. Iron is also the part that rusts. If they can make stainless non-magnetic, why can't they make it so it doesn't rust?
Title: Re: Aluminum weld
Post by: Roger on January 19, 2020, 12:19:50 pm: If they were going too sell something 'fancy' you'd think they could grind down the weld and make it smooth. ???
Title: Re: Aluminum weld
Post by: GTRS Fiero on January 19, 2020, 12:49:28 pm: Yeah, I gently mentioned that, in the article. It'd be interesting to get the input from a professional welder. If I knew one, I would have asked.