I have read a larg number of posts on this and looked at many pictures and have come up with a question. When you weld the 'quill' everyone seems to just weld the area in the recessed part of the shaft. What is to stop you welding all around the shaft assuming you keep build up to a minimum? The seal part that fitted on the shaft isn't going back on from what I gather and as this is a larger diameter than the area you are welding that implies there would be clearance to weld all around the shaft giving a stronger shaft?
Also has anyone doing the mod had an issue with tig welding it causing the shaft to distort? I would like to tig weld it but am a bit concerned that the gaps and heat might cause the shaft to pull and distort slightly.

Thanks
Lee

 

my weld, works great, not distorted

 

Tig welded mine. No distortion problems. I have not used my manual rack yet though, so no comments on strength or longevity.

 

Cheers guys, cannot quite see in both pics. Did you go all around the shaft or just in the recess. Anyone got see why we cannot weld all around? What sort of amps did you guys run at on the tig? Did you use mild steel or stainless filler rod? I would imagine e tig to be a better weld as you clearly need to melt the base metal to weld. Mig could just sit in the surface.

 

tig it for sure, i went all the way around you can kind of see it in my picture i can't remember the settings/filler rod i used but you can pretty much crank out the welder.. don't dip it in water after let it air cool

 

Can I ask why you do this? You can link a thread to make it easy. :-)

 

when deleting the power steering you weld the quill up to remove any lose steering/play

 

Thanks! I'll need to do that when I loop my lines.

 

Cheers for the info guys. All welded up tonight.
I think another reason to weld it up is to make the shaft stronger as it all becomes one piece.