plain ol Bill Posted April 7, 2010 Share Posted April 7, 2010 I'm currently working on an older Jeep and re-doing the ball joints. It has been a LONG LONG time since I have pulled wrenches on a rig. Some of the bolts holding this thing together are grade 8 and are castellated headed. XXXXXX I never saw one of those before! They are a pain to work with and I am thinking of just weldin a standard hex nut over the castelled head so I can use a standard wrench on these stinking things when I go to put them back in (if I ever get the darn things out!). Anyone know why it would not work out OK? I have a Miller 250 MIG - a lincoln 110V MIG w/ flux core setup in it and an older AC/DC stick machine. I plan to use the Miller with 70S6 wire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigfootnampa Posted April 7, 2010 Share Posted April 7, 2010 Well you would really be playing with fire there... My guess is that the mfrs deliberately used special heads on these bolts to prevent unqualified mechanics from messing with them. If you weld on them the heat treatment will be negated and they will no longer be grade 8 bolts. They are part of a critically designed component of the vehicle which might create a dramatic safety risk if done any way other than just right. If you don't know exactly how to deal with these it should be a clear sign that you need professional help! I am not saying that it can't be done... but your suggested technique is pretty scary!!! Get fully educated or hire the job out... don't endanger lives by cutting corners. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monstermetal Posted April 8, 2010 Share Posted April 8, 2010 Well you would really be playing with fire there... My guess is that the mfrs deliberately used special heads on these bolts to prevent unqualified mechanics from messing with them. If you weld on them the heat treatment will be negated and they will no longer be grade 8 bolts. They are part of a critically designed component of the vehicle which might create a dramatic safety risk if done any way other than just right. If you don't know exactly how to deal with these it should be a clear sign that you need professional help! I am not saying that it can't be done... but your suggested technique is pretty scary!!! Get fully educated or hire the job out... don't endanger lives by cutting corners. Hey Bill. Are they 12 point nuts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted April 8, 2010 Share Posted April 8, 2010 Welding is a bad idea, grade 8 are quenched and tempered alloy. http://www.americanfastener.com/technical/grade_markings_steel.asp Talk to your parts guy and see if you can replace with standard headed bolts. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob S Posted April 8, 2010 Share Posted April 8, 2010 Hi Bill, I did a google search for 'older jeep ball joint repair' and got lots of sites with pictures. I'm not sure exactly what you need but you may find help there. Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welder19 Posted April 8, 2010 Share Posted April 8, 2010 If your gonna replace the bolts then go ahead and weld a nut on to aid in removal but if your gonna reuse them then you may want to reconsider. I have welded lots of nuts and bolts for sake of removing a damaged fastener but it will alter the integrity of the bolt and therefor not a good idea to reuse it. welder19 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Hightower Posted April 8, 2010 Share Posted April 8, 2010 Welding on the bolt would anneal it making it useless for future use. Is the castle head a nut or a bolt. If it is a nut you can purchase a nut splitting tool. It acts like a guillotine and will cut the nut in half without any damage to the threads.Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plain ol Bill Posted April 9, 2010 Author Share Posted April 9, 2010 Yeah Larry these are 12 point bolts that have been used too many times in the past with poor fitting tools. Rather than try to weld on them I went to the junk yard and pulled some off a parts vehicle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kartikverma Posted June 4, 2015 Share Posted June 4, 2015 Welding doesnt help. It will be breaked after some days. Try to replace with new bolts and nuts. For any kind of help check out this site xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacob Nothstine Posted June 4, 2015 Share Posted June 4, 2015 I had a 1968 Bronco, I used PB Penetrating spray for a few days before I trying to loosen any bolts. It works great. http://blastercorp.com/PB_Blaster_Testimonials.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted June 4, 2015 Share Posted June 4, 2015 castellated head nuts are usually held in place with a cotter pin thru a hole in the bolt prevent vibration ratting the whole thing loose. Sounds like a critical component. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eseemann Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 Keep in mind that some Grade 8 bolts are cadmium coated. Cadmium coating has a yellowish (almost like brass) look to it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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