Interestingly, the case on my getrag cracked and completely broke off about half of one of my threaded holes for the rear bracket. There are three other mounting holes for this bracket with good threads but I'm understandably nervous about continuing to run it this way especially since one has already failed.

So what are my (affordable) repair options (yes JB weld has come to mind but I doubt its abilities here). Anything too expensive and I might as well just go get another cheap FWD getrag to replace it with. I have a MIG setup but I don't think it's going to help here.

Thanks in advance!

EDIT: It's paired with a 3800 SC for what it matters

[This message has been edited by GraterFang (edited 12-07-2011).]

Aluminum is very weldable, provided you get a good welder to do it. Its difficult, but end results of aluminum welding is not as bad as Steel. Steel will harden, Aluminum can be Annealed to be normal again, if it gets too hard.

Now that being said, bring it to a rim welding shop, they most likely have a guy very proficient in aluminum welding, because aluminum rims are prone to cracking. ask if he, or anyone he knows, can weld that piece back onto your transmission case. Then after it is re-welded, just re-drill and tap the hole with the proper threading. Depending on the person the pricing can be very different, got to shop around locally. Make sure they aluminum TIG weld it, not Aluminum MIG weld.

Even for simple tasks, shops around here tend to be ridiculously expensive but I'll look into it. Thanks so far!

Aluminum can be mig welded, the results are satisfactory and you usually end up paying through the nose for it. I suspect that your trans mount broke because your dogbone was not holding the powertrain sufficiently. Too much movement and something breaks. Check the dogbone for sturdiness. It should hold the powertrain solidly in position.

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Looks like that bolt backed off and wobbled aroumd in there for while. The threads looked trashed....maube find another bolt on the trans go bolt to. This will require u to modify the mouny also...

quote Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua: Aluminum can be mig welded, the results are satisfactory and you usually end up paying through the nose for it. I suspect that your trans mount broke because your dogbone was not holding the powertrain sufficiently. Too much movement and something breaks. Check the dogbone for sturdiness. It should hold the powertrain solidly in position.

A good idea but I believe my dogbone is quite sturdy and mounts up high were the stock fiero dogbone does. It shows no sign of stress or movement but I'll re-examine it for movement when everything is back in the car.

As for welding aluminum I have absolutely no experience with it. I know my MIG setup can be setup for the task but I haven't looked into how much it would cost to do so. Considering my experience with this would you recommend this as a course of action?

quote Originally posted by MstangsBware: Looks like that bolt backed off and wobbled aroumd in there for while. The threads looked trashed....maube find another bolt on the trans go bolt to. This will require u to modify the mouny also...

I think you're onto something here. In addition to this problem I noticed that two other bolts that hold brackets to the transmission were backed off some. I used locktite at the time but the only stuff I had was the green stuff which I don't put much faith in now. The threads on those are still fine or at least appear to be. I certainly won't be using the green locktite anymore though.

I would not reccomend trying aluminum welding on a project. it is not as forgiving as steel. It can be MIG welded, which is easier than TIG, however TIG gives much better results, however it is more expensive.

Aluminum MIG requires a new gun, a spool gun. That will give you the ability, and is easier to weld aluminum with MIG rather than TIG. However before trying to weld your own bracket, you should practice with scrap aluminum plates of equal thickness, then find some junk aluminum rims, cut them up, and try to weld them back together. Aluminum transfers heat much faster than steel, and is very prone to warpage, or even melting where you don't want it to, if you are inexperienced. You could damage the case more, instead of fix it.

I reccomend using a professional to weld it if you take that route. The price of a small weld shouldnt be anywhere near the price of a new trans :P. Since the hole will be warped a bit, just have the welder go a bit heavy on the filler rod. You can even fill the hole some, then drill it back out, and tap it. with Steel that is impossible, but Aluminum can do it.

Also before welding aluminum, make sure all corrosion is off of it, its hard to see on aluminum, but it is there.

[This message has been edited by Racing_Master (edited 12-07-2011).]

quote Originally posted by Racing_Master: I would not reccomend trying aluminum welding on a project. it is not as forgiving as steel. It can be MIG welded, which is easier than TIG, however TIG gives much better results, however it is more expensive. Aluminum MIG requires a new gun, a spool gun. That will give you the ability, and is easier to weld aluminum with MIG rather than TIG. However before trying to weld your own bracket, you should practice with scrap aluminum plates of equal thickness, then find some junk aluminum rims, cut them up, and try to weld them back together. Aluminum transfers heat much faster than steel, and is very prone to warpage, or even melting where you don't want it to, if you are inexperienced. You could damage the case more, instead of fix it. I reccomend using a professional to weld it if you take that route. The price of a small weld shouldnt be anywhere near the price of a new trans :P. Since the hole will be warped a bit, just have the welder go a bit heavy on the filler rod. You can even fill the hole some, then drill it back out, and tap it. with Steel that is impossible, but Aluminum can do it. Also before welding aluminum, make sure all corrosion is off of it, its hard to see on aluminum, but it is there.

Sounds like good advice. I would like to get into other welding setups but it does seem I'll need practice before I can just jump into it.

My only concern with a professional shop doing the job is that, in my experience, most of the shops in this area have a minimum charge for any type of welding project you bring them, no matter how small your job is. I had trouble getting a single weld done a long while back before I had a MIG setup for less than $75 and that was on a steel bracket, not aluminum. A used trans can cost less than $200 from a yard here which would also give me spare internals in case I ran into troubles there.

You never know though, I'll certainly look into some local shops and maybe I'll get lucky and find somebody that can do the job for a reasonable price. Thanks!