Can You Weld This??? **Update** I Welded It

[Alpheus]

As you may or may not know, yesterday when I was messing with my shifting problem I had a guy helping me out from the marina. I asked him to jump in my boat and try to move the shifter while I was turning the prop by hand. After it would not move out of forward gear, as I was climbing back into the boat I heard a clunk. The guy said that the shifter handle had moved. I looked and the shift cable was still in the same place so something had to have let go in the control box.

Today I took the control box out and took it apart and this is what I found:

#24

It looks to be cast or maybe powdered metal; I am no metallurgist so I have no idea. I do know that its not aluminum and a magnet will stick to it.

I just want to know if one could grind a groove in this and weld it back together?

The guy was pulling so hard on the handle that when the gear snapped the pin that was in it came out and cracked the case.

I dont know if you still buy parts for this control box or not. If I have to buy a new one so be it but I just want to know if this one is salvageable. Any info would be greatly appreciated...


.

 

[ErieRon]

Re: Can You Weld This???

Re: Can You Weld This???

Is your friend Hulk Hogan...

Depends on what it's made of, and I'm guessing it's a cast part. Doesn't look like a precision machined part to me. However, if it can be welded, you have to consider warp etc...and what would be involved in finishing it back to spec. I would think you would be better served buying a new/used one if you could find it.

 

[Don S]

Re: Can You Weld This???

Re: Can You Weld This???

The gear is available, the housing is also going to be a problem. If you can't get it back together with zero gap in the cracks, you are going to have problems with it forever. Maybe find a used one on ebay or even ask your local Merc shop. That module style is still in use today.


The gear is available from Merc, Part number 85870, just under 20 bucks.

 

[Alpheus]

Re: Can You Weld This???

Re: Can You Weld This???

The case is not a problem as of yet. I used a c-clamp and it goes right back together perfect. Ill just have to have welded up. Thanks...

 

[Alpheus]

Re: Can You Weld This??? **Update** I Welded It

Thanks Don S for the part number. I contacted my local parts guy and had one ordered. He said it should be in by next Monday. I know that I could order one online and have it alot sooner, but I like to support my local guys as much as I can. However I want to get my shifting problem fixed and decided to patch up the gear that I have until the new one arrives.

I started by cleaning and degrease the part. I used a c-clamp to tightly squeeze the two halves together. I then used a die grinder to cut some grooves along the crack, used a mig welder with high heat and welded this sucker back together. cleaned up the welds with a grinder and a dremel tool. I got it pretty much back together and it fits perfect. Im not planning on putting my boat in the water until spring, so safety is not an issue. Just needed my shifter to work tomorrow so I can figur out this darn shifting issue...

PS.

The part is made out of powdered metal. The oil was oozing out of the part when it heated up from welding it. Its not gonna last long...

 

[madgadget]

Re: Can You Weld This??? **Update** I Welded It

Metal grain fracture failure. Thats quite impressive really. Id have expected to see that a bit different, but no its totally just failed...

Read about metal fatigue here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatigue_(material)

 

[45Auto]

Re: Can You Weld This??? **Update** I Welded It

That fracture had NOTHING to do with metal fatigue. Metal fatigue occurs as a result of cyclic loadings well below the yield strength of the material. That part failed because of a single load that far exceeded the ultimate strength of the brittle material.

Do you think the crack in the corner of the housing was also caused by metal fatigue???

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Can You Weld This??? **Update** I Welded It

Thats great, now you can figure out what the real problem was, keep your buddy at a safe distance and NEVER force something like that jeeeeez!

 

[fat fanny]

Re: Can You Weld This??? **Update** I Welded It

Great point a70 the root cause! not just the broken pc, (cause and effect) something most people over look when troubleshooting and or repairing.