thoyer

I got the rear cross member out. Pretty easy. Found a small area of rot in the frame above the cross member. Best method to fix?

I have two thoughts, one is to cut a peice of steel and insert it inside the frame rail, clamp and weld from the underside. Or cut peice of steel to cover area and weld directly over the hole, then grind smooth so the cross member sits flush.

Thoughts?



Looks like the mice lived here for a few years.....



Tom

wmf62

if the rest of the area around the hole is sound, then either way will work. but, if you decide to put the patch on the outside, make a similar piece for the other side so that the crossmember is even on both sides.
Bill

thoyer

Bill,

I'll have to as both sides have the same hole...............

Tom

Redbird

I would replace it with one from a vendor.

Pilot Dan

That rusted from the inside out which means there are probably other thin areas as well. Since you went to the trouble of removing it, I would get a new replacement. For a few bucks more, it's worth it. Pilot Dan

wmf62

he's talking about the frame end, not the crossmember
Bill

thoyer

Correct. I have a new cross member that the original owner bought from GM back in the early 80's and never put in.

Tom

john5801

yep. i agree.. second---weld a "u' shape steel piece covering the 3 or 4 sides of the frame rail, and do the same on the other frame rail ..
( or if a box piece is available i would slide those on, and weld them..or fabricate one--2 ?)..
first--however, do the acid test would be to hit the frame rails with a ballpene hammer to see if you break through, then go from there with the boxing fabrication and welding...both sides...
thats what i would do...
hope this helps..
john

Pilot Dan

OK, got it. For repairing the frame ends, I prefer to cut out the rotted area completely from the frame and fabricate and weld in new pieces in their place. Makes for a nicer finished repair that if done correctly and finish ground, will be hard to detect. How are you planning to install the new crossmember rivets??

thoyer

No rivets. Some grade 8 bolts and a bead across the front for now. If I ever go back to do a body off, then the rivets will go in. I hope to tackle it this weekend, we'll see.........

Tom

dharris45

I had the same problem with my 60. Ground out the rotted area and welded in patches on both sides. Sprayed some rust encapsulation paint on it the put on the new crossmember.

BobT59

I replaced the cross member in my 59 with a new one from ZIP last year.

Found the same issue with the frame part....I was not able to (and did not want to) do any welding on the frame. I cut a piece of steel, drilled some holes appropriately and slid in onto the inside of the frame and bolted the cross member into it. I did not use the rivets as in the original configuration.

I intend on putting a bead of weld across the front of the new crossmeber to the frame when I can...made a temporay brace in the meantime.