Two things are indisputable:

1) Welding heat warps and pulls steel

2) The PERFECT way to weld stuff on to a rear axle is to mount it on a jig, and then true it when done.

Now, that being said, I think Brian has a point. Although I am not a great welder, I have welded spring perches, shock mounts, etc onto various rearends over the years, without using a jig, or retruing the rear axle. I have yet to have a bearing failure or significant misalignment problem because I weld a little, then stop. Then I move to the other side, and stop. By doing so, the heat doesn't build up too high, and warpage is minimumized.

There is always the perfect world and the real world. The things we do in our home garages are sometimes not ideal, but work. That, I think is the point Brian was trying to make. I am not so sure even factory housings are dead on, especially after bouncing down the road for years. They have to deflect somewhat and deform.

JMO,


Don