Coil-over conversion

[stealthstylz]

Why did you bronze weld it and not just weld it normally?

Matt

[foggyjames]

Really stupid question now...when you say bronze weld, is that what I'd call brazing? I know I've been warned before about actually welding the steel strut tubes, as the heat can weaken and deform them - you have to do them in short bursts to do it safely.

Ah fair play - 2.5mm is fairly generous. FWIW, a lot of people just slot them over with no welding, so I think you've covered yourself pretty well.

Good work that man!

cheers

James

[brick340]

Bronze welding and brazing are slightly different, different filler material, basically a different alloy (brazing is closer to soldering). Brazing tends to be used in tight fitting joints where as bronze welding can be used in similar jobs as steel welding. I used bronze welding due to the lower temperature and the fact it's a little more flexable.

I had to cut the strut due to the flared end, the threaded tube just wouldn't fit over.

I may not have all my facts in order about bronze welding and brazing, but i think it's about right.

[foggyjames]

I've never heard of bronze welding, hence my interest. Most interesting! I've brazed a number of times...it pretty much is soldering, but with a metal with a higher melting temperature

Do you bronze weld with gas?

cheers

James

[Nikdev]

Do Anyone know, if its the same diameter on the 360 front strut? (52mm?) I am a 14 hour flight ride from my car, so I cant measure it myself

[Johnny A]

wouldn't welding directly to the strut cause it to deform slightly and also damage the seals internally??

[A M R]

nope. if you read the above, you can see he bronze weleded it, which uses a lower temp, therefore less chance of deformation. and no again to the seals because the shocks are inserts.

[foggyjames]

Johnny is right to be cautious - it is certainly a danger. However, it sounds like our man has been taking it pretty carefully.

cheers

James

[Johnny A]

nope. if you read the above, you can see he bronze weleded it, which uses a lower temp, therefore less chance of deformation. and no again to the seals because the shocks are inserts.

Inserts eh, that makes things easier. I take it the shockers arn't standard units. Are uprated items easy to come by??

[foggyjames]

On the face of it (i.e. judging by how much success people have had to date with finding uprated versions) I'd say no. However, if it weren't for this, I'd have assumed yes, it's fairly easy. I've not yet had a strut in pieces myself.

cheers

James

[Johnny A]

If someone can get me a picture of the front strut shocker assembly I can compare it to anything in the Vauxhall range, the Mk3 Astra, all Cavaliers and calibras use insert-type shockers and uprated versions are very common.

[Tourinki]

If someone can get me a picture of the front strut shocker assembly I can compare it to anything in the Vauxhall range, the Mk3 Astra, all Cavaliers and calibras use insert-type shockers and uprated versions are very common.

What kind of picture you need. I have some pictures but i don't know for sure a) are they suitable b) where they are. But i'll try to find them and post them here

[brick340]

Sorry long time no post, the inserts are standard monroe units, much to my distaste . Does anyone know if you can get the service kit for the original damper units, you could play about with them quite a lot, change the weight of oil, shorten damper rod etc. Shortening the damper rod would stop the need for clamping springs, all it needs is a simple ali spacer.

Coil-overs are now on, i'll probably take some photos tonight, springs are a little stiff. 350lb with 40lb helpers, so it's no lower than standard, needs some adjustment.

James, yea gas is used to bronze weld, oxy-acetylene. The struts are 52mm same as the 360's.

[brick340]

Crap photo, but you get the idea.

[foggyjames]

Nice

cheers

James