Cracked bulkhead- weld or replace

[absorka]

My punishment for riding on the 4th of July was a "gentle" kiss with a small rock in just the right place that dented my A-arm... so I thought. Worse yet, it was on my buddies Pro RMK. No big deal.... ordered up a new lower control arm, installed it a few weeks ago and had a big surprise when looking more close under the mount.

There are (3) 1" long cracks that are radiating away from the head of a bolt/rivet that holds the plastic boot that covers the steering arm where it passes through the bulk head. Needless to say, we were stunned. It appears the rock hit just right on the top of the rivet and cracked the cast aluminum and slightly dented it in.

He is being cool about it and is suggesting we just weld the cracks. I want it fixed right. I looked up the part and it is only about $125 for that piece, but looks to be a serious job R&R ing it.

Would it be as sound if we just welded it, or had it professionally welded?

Thanks for your input.

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

welding a cast peice is risky at best..polaris claims you can change either half of a bulkhead in a few hrs time..at 125 for the bulkhead and another 100 or so for lords adhesive and the factory rivits...I would replace it personally..if you try welding it..make sure after welding and grinding the repaired area..to lay a reinfoorcment over the repair and weld it in..only way I know of to make a lasting quality repair when welding aluminum...

 

[mountainhorse]

Pics!!

Sounds like small cracks in an area that is not highly loaded.

Need to see it though.

Any welding... Disconnect the ECU, Voltage regs and gauge.

 

[Aussie Niko]

x2 on replacing it , just not worth the risk. I had my old apex break the mounting section off the bulk head for the lower arm, got it welded a a few weeks later it recracked. Its so hard to remove all the impurities from the alloy to make a good quality weld last.

 

[2XM3]

welding a casting is risky at best, for 125 bucks replace it.

 

[AkLogan]

welding cast is not recommended. look up a procudre for welding cast it is very involved and finding someone that is qualifed/compedent to do it is another story easier to replace and remove the thought of failing welds out of your head

 

[B00nd0ck3r4lif]

My rule of thumb is when I'm on someone else's machine I treat it better than my own, and that applies to fixing anything I break. Zip ties, duct tape, welding ect ect are fine for my own stuff, but you just gotta pony up and fix it right when you break your buddies stuff, even if he is "cool" about it you should insist on doing it right. Thats my opinion.

That and welding cast is just not a good idea

 

[absorka]

Thank you for the input guys. I will get a pic for you Mtn Horse. I have not looked to see exactly where the aftermarket skids fit, but after this experience, I would have one for sure.

I feel that it should be replaced as well, for personal reasons if nothing else.

 

[High Velocity]

I would replace the damaged part if it was my sled. No question. I was under the impression that replacement parts that required the adhesive would come with the required amount of adhesive.


Sent from my iPhone when I should be sledding.