Dry weld?

[Palaeodom]

My newish frame has started making quite a bit of noise during general riding, I've had all the usual suspects checked out at the LBS and they have now suggested that at the head tube or the BB tube there must be a dry weld thats creaking everytime the frame flexes.

 

They suggested it wasn't fixable without breaking the frame down and re-welding it and that I should just ride it until it developes a crack there and then claim on the warranty.

 

What is a dry weld and does it mean the frame is weaker? Can I claim on the warranty for such a thing now before it fails and develops a crack?

 

Thanks all

[dirtrider]

Did they weld the frame underwater ? That is what dry welding is .

[Mojoman]

They suggested it wasn't fixable without breaking the frame down and re-welding it and that I should just ride it until it developes a crack there and then claim on the warranty.

That sounds like good advice, just wait for it to crack, then break as you head downhill over a particularly rocky section at 55km/h...!

[dirtrider]

Not the best advice ! But I like to know more about the dry weld creaking . Where are the white coat brigade when you need them ?

[grb285]

My newish frame has started making quite a bit of noise during general riding, I've had all the usual suspects checked out at the LBS and they have now suggested that at the head tube or the BB tube there must be a dry weld thats creaking everytime the frame flexes.

 

They suggested it wasn't fixable without breaking the frame down and re-welding it and that I should just ride it until it developes a crack there and then claim on the warranty.

 

What is a dry weld and does it mean the frame is weaker? Can I claim on the warranty for such a thing now before it fails and develops a crack?

 

Thanks all

 

What bike is it? I had something like this on one of my full suss frames. I could never find the source of the creaking. Also sounded like a crack (whatever that sounds like?) Did everything from remove the BB, change seatpost, bearings etc.

 

Eventually we found the issue. It was the rear deraileur's cable. The cable had an aluminium end cap that would rub and creak where it met the frame. So simple. Greased it and never heard the sound again. Check things like that.

 

A dry weld sounds like LBS to me

Edited June 8, 2011 by grb285

[LeTurbo]

Your LBS is, I suspect, talking through his/her/its/their derriere.

[Tumbleweed]

Not the best advice ! But I like to know more about the dry weld creaking . Where are the white coat brigade when you need them ?

 

Maybe they're fatiqued?

 

Could the "dry weld" fault not be detected by industrial radiography?

[Mecnic]

I've never heard of a dry weld, have you checked the following:

 

• 
   
  
• Saddle rails, including at the clamp area and where the rails go into the saddle itself?
  
• Headset bearing contact surfaces
  
• Pedal interfaces
  
• Handlebar and stem contact points
  
• Loose bolts on the brakes maybe
   
  

 

The above are just a few place creaks can come from. my saddle creaks every now and then, some wax lube where the rails meet the saddle sorts it.

 

Is the creaks constant or only when you pedal, is it still there when you stand?

[DaLoCo]

A dry weld will show up as a crack afaik. You can spend some dosh and get the welds tested non-destructively with an ultrasonic tester (about R300 per weld). It is a portable unit so the dude can come to you.

[dirtrider]

Maybe they're fatiqued?

 

Could the "dry weld" fault not be detected by industrial radiography?

 

That is possible . I know my LBS got one of those radiothingemajig's in his workshop !!!

 

My bike also creaks like hell and then we discovered it was not the bike but my knees !

[DaLoCo]

Maybe they're fatiqued?

 

Could the "dry weld" fault not be detected by industrial radiography?

 

A simple ultrasonic NDT will measure the integrity, but a dry weld is basically a weld joint that has come undone, which will appear as a crack.

[NotSoBigBen]

That is possible . I know my LBS got one of those radiothingemajig's in his workshop !!!

 

My bike also creaks like hell and then we discovered it was not the bike but my knees !

 

Only your knees

[grb285]

They suggested it wasn't fixable without breaking the frame down and re-welding it and that I should just ride it until it developes a crack there and then claim on the warranty.

That sounds like good advice, just wait for it to crack, then break as you head downhill over a particularly rocky section at 55km/h...!

I know. It's typical of LBS to spout crap like this. How's the man going to enjoy riding with this fear of his sled falling apart under him? Some of the worst advice I've ever heard about bikes has come from bike stores. Not all of them, but choose your LBS wisely, especially if you rely on them to service critical components like forks and brakes.

[dirtrider]

A simple ultrasonic NDT will measure the integrity, but a dry weld is basically a weld joint that has come undone, which will appear as a crack.

 

Ok thats makes more sense . It is not dry welding but a weld that has "come loose" and then becomes a dry weld .

[Goodbadugly]

A dry weld. It is dry, but you can drink it.

I would first look at ALL the other options before buying that Savannah

[DaLoCo]

Ok thats makes more sense . It is not dry welding but a weld that has "come loose" and then becomes a dry weld .

 

Yes...and it is normally when the process has not penetrated both the materials being joined, or when poor heat mangement has caused a weld to break loose at the edge the penetration. It will show visually on the edges of the welds, if you use a magnifying glass. Look for hairline cracks as it will not creak if it does not move. I am much more inclined to go with saddle rails and other type of joints where bolts and screws are involved (Freud would have a party with this post )