Weld cracked rail??

[revster]

I bought some replacement rails for my Nytro however one of them is cracked. I was thinking about using the dremel to grind into the crack a bit then have them tig welded. But I don't think it will have the same strength as factory. (...and the factory wasn't that strong!)

...what do you guys think???

This would be at the front inside wheel mount so that clip needs to fit over top.

...either that or whip out the wallet for some ice age rails!

Opinions???

 

[Mtnviper]

Welding will take the temper out of the rail in that area. That looks like it is a fairly high stress area as well, probably best to replace it just to be safe.

Bill

 

[Super Sled]

Ive never heard of welded rails holding up. Id just procure one not cracked. Sorry dude.

 

[Viper_Dave]

I have 3 sets that have cracked in the same place and I've welded all 3. The set on my Viper have held for 4 seasons. If properly done, they'll be fine. I installed a thin flat steel washer on the outside of all 3 to spread the clamping force of the bolt to the rail. Ask anyone who's ridden with me, I don't baby any of my sleds LOL.

 

[sleddingfarmer]

I have rails welded all the time, and they've never cracked in the same place or right next to it.

You'll just have to fill that hole in completely, grind it smooth, and re-drill it.

 

[multi sled]

I have rails welded all the time, and they've never cracked in the same place or right next to it.

You'll just have to fill that hole in completely, grind it smooth, and re-drill it.

ive also welded several rails and most of the time they hold up pretty well.

 

[revster]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I have faith in the guy that would be welding them however I'll be putting the larger excell wheels on it and jumping the sled. (not huge but still pretty hard on it.) I'm just not expecting it to hold forever and I'd be spending money to powder coat them as well.

Maybe Ice age rails will be the way to go.

 

[AttakDog]

I tig welded mine a couple times in the same spot. They kept cracking until I added a 1/4" thick aluminum brace to that area and welded around it. Wish i had a pic to show. Just take off the steel washer and make a aluminum plate and weld it there.

 

[AKrider]

I suspect it cracked because the wheel mount came loose. Sicne you are plannign to ride the sled hard, dont waste the time and money to weld it, it will just crack again in the same location, right next to the weld. Save your money and buy new rails. If you are really strapped, see if you can buy a single, used replacement rail for that side off eBay or something.

Many years ago I broke a set of rails that had cracked, been welded and gussetted as a repair and they cracked right next to the weld. If you ride hard, the rails fatigue and should be viewed as a replacement/wear item.

 

[Off Trail Mike]

Revster:

If you have a good tig welder, I wouldn't be afraid to weld it., but if it cracked once, it will crack again, less because of the welding, and more because its a very stressed part of the rail for the way you ride....

I agree with AKrider, it does look like the bolt loosened off, which caused it to lose even more strength. Use Sledfarmers' approach and fill and redrill the hole to get rid of the hole slop.

You also might try AttackDog's idea of adding 1/4" x 1" flat bar (or similar) on the vertical above the cracked area which will really help stiffen the rail. You'd need to contour the bar and polish it up so it doesn't look bad, but that's easily doable.

OTM

Or break the bank and go for brand new deeper set of ice age rails, but I'd try the repair first....

 

[revster]

I've been emailing back and forth with Mike at Iceage and I'm seriously considering a set of their rails.

 

[AKrider]

I think that's your best route.

 

[revster]

Now I just have to decide if I am going 136" again which the sled is already set-up for or going 144"

 

[Super Sled]

I've been emailing back and forth with Mike at Iceage and I'm seriously considering a set of their rails.

That is hand's down the best option........

 

[mcamzr]

You could always go 144 and have the 136 rails fixEd. Then you would have both. All but the longer tunnel for the 144. Mite look silly on a 136. But as it stands right now your sled looks sweet with the black rails.