How concerned should I be about this? (Welded Caliper Brackets)
05-07-2009, 08:12 PM
#16
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That's not something I would even consider gambling with. Sometimes people even give away the S4 spindles, but for $100-?, you could potentially save your car from being totalled or worse. Every time you come down the straight and slam on the brakes, you'll be thinking about it.
05-07-2009, 08:13 PM
#17
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It is very common to reweld spindles to fit different calipers or even just to space the calipers out for larger rotors. If the welds look good, leave them.
I'd rather have them welded like that than have the adapter brackets most people use...
I'd rather have them welded like that than have the adapter brackets most people use...
05-08-2009, 08:19 AM
#22
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The weld looks really good and strong.
If done correctly, a weld can be stronger than the surrounding material. This weld look deep and clean and merge a lot with the surrounding. I would say the guy who did that knew what he was doing.
If done correctly, a weld can be stronger than the surrounding material. This weld look deep and clean and merge a lot with the surrounding. I would say the guy who did that knew what he was doing.
05-08-2009, 09:11 AM
#23
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Do we know if the car has been driven lots with the welded on adaptors ? If yes are there any cracks in the welds/parent material ? if not probably (I type that with caution) good to go. Would I drive it ? Yes gently until I had the opportunity to really test it then reinspect.
05-08-2009, 09:40 AM
#24
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Do these allow S4 brakes to run on S spindles, or do you need pre S spindles?
I'm looking for a solution to use S4 brakes on my S2 without losing ABS and without losing my current upper and lower arms.
05-08-2009, 09:52 AM
#25
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05-08-2009, 11:17 AM
#27
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The spindle is cast iron or cast steel - its a Porsche so its most likely cast steel...but its still cast. It has an irregular grain structure and is not even close to the strength of rolled or forged steel.
Welding a cast piece will work if the correct welding rod (stick or TIG) and heat prep is done for that specific grade of cast steel but most likely will not be stronger.
Just welding a piece of cast cold creates high stress beside the weld area.
The odds of the welder knowing the grade of the cast steel, has the proper training to heat prep and cool the welded piece and choose the right weld rod are not good.
Replace it.
Welding a cast piece will work if the correct welding rod (stick or TIG) and heat prep is done for that specific grade of cast steel but most likely will not be stronger.
Just welding a piece of cast cold creates high stress beside the weld area.
The odds of the welder knowing the grade of the cast steel, has the proper training to heat prep and cool the welded piece and choose the right weld rod are not good.
Replace it.
05-08-2009, 02:14 PM
#28
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Rocketman, sorry to contradict, but the spindles ARE forged, not cast. No one uses cast iron for spindles, it just isn't strong enough, for all the reasons you gave. IF those bosses were welded on correctly, they are OK to use, but I would at least have them bead-blasted and magnafluxed... Not knowing how they were done, I would probably swap them out for peace of mind.
Steve
Steve
05-09-2009, 03:40 PM
#30
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I love how people who know nothing about race cars or common practices in building one feel the need to spew threats of liability and judgement about something that is extremely common. Rewelding spindles for different calipers is done regularly on Mustangs, Corvettes, BMWs, VWs, and even *gasp* Porsches! 
If done properly, that weld is stronger the early spindle/adapter setup many 928 owners use.
If done properly, that weld is stronger the early spindle/adapter setup many 928 owners use.