Aqualu aluminum tub crack--

[bsmith123]

stretched?

Heat Shrinking Metal: BodyShop Business - The Body Shop Reference


Sounds like your bowed alum might be stretched

If you are a novice at it I am not sure you would want to attempt the shrinking process -at least not on alum

might be easier and cheaper to cut and tig in a new sections

 

[micky]

any number of things could have caused it. from my experience aluminum mig welders are pretty picky. start your repair by drilling holes at the ends of the cracks, this will prevent it from going any further. then TIG in a new piece.

 

[vtcruiser60]

I'll post up pictures of the repair work when I get it back. I have no interest in repairing the bowed section. It is not that noticeable anyway.

For what it is worth, I think the crack started on a poorly welded section of the body. The crack started on the fusable edge of the weld bead. Penetration was weak in this area. I'll know more when I get it back from the fab shop and will inquire with them about other potential problems, if at all.

Anyone know someone at Aqualu to alert them to this thread....they ought to be aware.

 

[FJ40-40]

Heat Shrinking Metal: BodyShop Business - The Body Shop Reference


Sounds like your bowed alum might be stretched

If you are a novice at it I am not sure you would want to attempt the shrinking process -at least not on alum

might be easier and cheaper to cut and tig in a new sections

Thanks. That's an interesting concept. On my tub, I don't have any broken welds. I just have the bowed section. I'm going to try heat it some and see if I can straighten it out.

 

[TXMud]

I have been in touch with Aqualu as well. They are kind to answer my questions and concerns, especially since this was not a direct purchase from them. It is their design however.

It appears that drain holes are in order. Aqualu has seen this type of cracking before. I suspect my crack was due to ice expansion in the sill. It is possible that pooling water in the gas tank area could have overlapped the sill and filled it shortly before an early fall freeze. Aqualu reported that drilling drain holes will not result in any structural problems to the sill area. I am going to do this after I get the crack repaired.

Water can accumulate in the sill for a variety of reasons and thus for folks with older (?) tubs, you may want to drill drain holes as well. I imagine that any substantial water crossing would fill the sill. I suspect a torrential downpour might pass a bit of water into the sill, but likely not enough to fill and freeze. If the tub is left outside before installation, tipped in a manner that will fill the sill, it may trap water.

Thank you, we are aware of this thread.

 

[cruiserland]

definitely from water freezing
I have had two tubs suffer similar consequences, and have seen several others
at least it wont rust

 

[ttubb]

No Drain Holes

I have a new tub from Aqualu and there are no drain holes drilled anywhere in the bottom.

 

[trainrech]

I have a new tub from Aqualu and there are no drain holes drilled anywhere in the bottom.

Drill them.

 

[77rocker]

Bowed Tub - Advice?

Hello,

I bought a used FJ40 with an Aqualu tub which clearly had some exposure to water/freezing as the sill area expanded by 3/8" or so......no holes drilled....

As others of said, clamps make no difference and where I need to reform the metal so the door will fit properly I can't simply whack it back in shape.

Any ideas on resolution?

Thanks.

Keith