[ori413]

what kind of aluminum are recent fox steerer tubes made out of? i would venture a guess at 6000 series... 6061 probably, but i need to be sure. cant find it in a search... its a 2008 float but that shouldnt matter. i am adding just a half inch to it

 

[myarmisonfire]

Sounds dangerous. From what I have read steer tubes are typically 7000 series aluminum...

 

[ori413]

the only information i could pick up was on rock shox, and they were using 6061 on crowns, and 7k for stanchions with magnesium lowers. no one bothers to even list materials for the steerer and all simply put "aluminum" ... you'd suspect they'd be labeling it 7k if it was special.

im pretty confident this will be secure as the method my shop was suggesting was taking 1.125 aluminum stock, stepping it, and sliding that an inch or two down the steerer (with a half inch of 1.125 out the top) before welding it in place at the step. hell, they're not even hollowing it out, they're gonna tap the solid piece in place of a star nut. i dont have reservations after they described that... they just said it would be difficult to weld 7k series and thats why i was wondering.

 

[Nick_M2R]

The instant you let the welder hit the aluminium, your better off having a steerer made of wood, its a very bad idea, your only going to create a weak area for a catastrophic failure to occur, hopefully you have a full face and/or good dental coverage...

 

[PMK]

the only information i could pick up was on rock shox, and they were using 6061 on crowns, and 7k for stanchions with magnesium lowers. no one bothers to even list materials for the steerer and all simply put "aluminum" ... you'd suspect they'd be labeling it 7k if it was special.

im pretty confident this will be secure as the method my shop was suggesting was taking 1.125 aluminum stock, stepping it, and sliding that an inch or two down the steerer (with a half inch of 1.125 out the top) before welding it in place at the step. hell, they're not even hollowing it out, they're gonna tap the solid piece in place of a star nut. i dont have reservations after they described that... they just said it would be difficult to weld 7k series and thats why i was wondering.

Don't weld it, you'll be miles ahead and safer to adhesive bond it in place. Clean all parts with strong solvent that leaves no residue or contaminants. Abrade the contact surfaces with 80 grit abrasive paper. Clean again, and don't touch any bond surface with fingers. Once the solvent had evaporated, apply properly mixed adhesive and insert. If possible heat cure at around 130f.

If you have any aircraft friends, see about getting some Hysol 934, if not folks here will say JB Weld which should work, or any of the Loctite epoxy products designed for joining metals.

I know you are going to do some crazy fix and we won't be able to stop you. I sure hope this is a double crown fork because if/when that single crown steerer let's loose it will be spectacular. Do you often ride with a helmet cam?

PK

 

[myarmisonfire]

I know you are going to do some crazy fix and we won't be able to stop you.
PK

I think this sums it up pretty good.

 

[PetesDustyVolvo]

just buy new uppers for ****s sake

 

[ori413]

yea yea you guys talked me out of it.

 

[Dougal]

Sounds dangerous. From what I have read steer tubes are typically 7000 series aluminum...

Yes and typically 7075. These aluminiums are not weldable. That means if you try to weld it it'll have the impact resistance of cardboard.

Good to hear you thought better of it. A tight fitting spacer which is held in with a headlock type bolt to the lower end could work, but will need some design put in.