Thanks for the detailed explanation Banjo, much appreciated.

 

I was looked for a cheaper alternative to willwoods and this may be it!

 

One tip when welding lower KE70 spring perches onto strut with a greater O/S dia.

 

When you grind away the inside of the lower perch to fit snuggly over the 50mm dia strut, it does not leave a lot of metal on the perch at that point, where you need it to be welded to the strut. The original perches had a "turn down" at that point where, it met the strut, but you will have ground that off in this opening up hole process.

 

I found a 2" dia. metal ring at the hardware store, that was actually part of an agricultural gate latch fitting. I careful filed all the galvanising off it, then carefully filed the inside dia. about 0.5 mm, until is was a snug slide down the 51mm strut tube. It was welded onto the strut tube, with about 4 off stitch welds, so as not to distort the tube. Then slide the lower perch down onto the ring and weld perch to ring & strut tube.

 

Created a very strong welded joint, probably as good or better than the original.

 

 

Cheers Banjo

Edited March 5, 201610 yr by Banjo