Wire Wheel / Cast Wheel Swap

[pekingduck]

This bracket is not a porous sand casting, but a low-pressure die casting, as are the components of an aluminum frame or swingarm, or wheels and calipers for that matter. Aluminum frames and swingarms are welded together from cast and extruded pieces.

I am not saying it can't be done. I am saying it has some risks. And it can be tricky.

Today, more and more automotive components are made by welding together Aluminium cast parts. But they know exaclty what materials they are using, they can do thermal treatments to stress relieve after welding, they do crack inspection, they test sample parts for strength and fatigue, and they avoid, by design, tensile loads on the welds.

If done properly it can be safe, of course. I just say I wouldn't do it (specially as I don't have a welder )

I am not saying it can't be done. I am saying it has some risks. And it can be tricky.

Today, more and more automotive components are made by welding together Aluminium cast parts. But they know exaclty what materials they are using, they can do thermal treatments to stress relieve after welding, they do crack inspection, they test sample parts for strength and fatigue, and they avoid, by design, tensile loads on the welds.

If done properly it can be safe, of course. I just say I wouldn't do it (specially as I don't have a welder ) I don't think the modifications affected safety, but you're right, it's not tested. Where I removed material on the front, I had the welder reinforce it on the back. Also, I was incorrect before, as these pieces were sand cast, not die-cast.