Frame repair
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 3
From: East Waterboro Maine
Frame repair
The previous owner of my vette apparently had difficulties judging the cars underclearance and as a result there is some damage on the bottom side of the front crossmember. I've attached a photo to give a better sense of the area I'm talking about. I've circled the area in red.
I'd like to replace the damaged section of plate and am looking for ideas (it's dented upward about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch and looks pretty rough
). Only the center 12 inches or so will need to be replaced, the rest is in pretty good shape. Are there any companies out there that sell replacement 'skins' for these types of repairs?
I could fab a replacement from mild steel, but there are two concave grooves in the bottom of the frame that I wouldn't be able to duplicate. Maybe I'm being to ****...
Ideas?
I'd like to replace the damaged section of plate and am looking for ideas (it's dented upward about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch and looks pretty rough
). Only the center 12 inches or so will need to be replaced, the rest is in pretty good shape. Are there any companies out there that sell replacement 'skins' for these types of repairs? I could fab a replacement from mild steel, but there are two concave grooves in the bottom of the frame that I wouldn't be able to duplicate. Maybe I'm being to ****...
Ideas?
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,959
Likes: 1
From: North Bend Ohio
You may want to look at this.
http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/prod...93FA681CE1FDE2
And this.
http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/prod...93FA681CE1FDE2
BigBlockk
Later.....
http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/prod...93FA681CE1FDE2
And this.
http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/prod...93FA681CE1FDE2
BigBlockk
Later.....
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,806
Likes: 3
From: Burlington WI
Originally Posted by Twin_Turbo
That damage is caused by jacking the car up under the engine crossmember, usually the diff pinion crossmember has the same type of damage (mine has)
Mine is crunched on the front too.
Living proof that maroon is not just a color.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Well, Bigblokk has you covered with the ZIP links.
If you need NCRS resto - that is the way to go.
If some custom is in the cards, perhaps you would consider
something like I did (a reinforced jacking plate).
PS - looks like your tranny crossmember is a bit dented, too.
Mine was mashed on one side, but I left it - since it is an auto and the
bolts all lined up perfectly (still). Bending it back would mess it up - IMO.
If you need NCRS resto - that is the way to go.
If some custom is in the cards, perhaps you would consider
something like I did (a reinforced jacking plate).
PS - looks like your tranny crossmember is a bit dented, too.
Mine was mashed on one side, but I left it - since it is an auto and the
bolts all lined up perfectly (still). Bending it back would mess it up - IMO.
Last edited by NHvette; Oct 18, 2005 at 04:37 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,654
Likes: 0
From: Chandler Arizona
St. Jude Donor '08
[QUOTE=NHvette]Well, Bigblokk has you covered with the ZIP links.
If you need NCRS resto - that is the way to go.
If some custom is in the cards, perhaps you would consider
something like I did (a reinforced jacking plate).
PS - looks like your tranny crossmember is a bit dented, too.
Mine was mashed on one side, but I left it - since it is an auto and the
bolts all lined up perfectly (still). Bending it back would mess it up - IMO.
That looks sturdy!!!
can't crunch that one
If you need NCRS resto - that is the way to go.
If some custom is in the cards, perhaps you would consider
something like I did (a reinforced jacking plate).
PS - looks like your tranny crossmember is a bit dented, too.
Mine was mashed on one side, but I left it - since it is an auto and the
bolts all lined up perfectly (still). Bending it back would mess it up - IMO.
That looks sturdy!!!
can't crunch that one
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1
From: New Cumberland PA
Originally Posted by BigBlockk
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 3
From: East Waterboro Maine
Originally Posted by mandm1200
Nice tool, but a little pricey. I image no one is buying it.
So it looks like I'll be doing a home made repair. I was thinking of strengthening the lower cross member by installing some ribs inside the frame so that the bottom plate would bottom against those rather than distorting. I have a few days before I get to that so I'll give it some more thought.
As was pointed out, there is some damage to the tranny crossmember as well, although the damage is pretty minor (+/- 1/8" divots). Any recommendations for those areas? Any epoxy compounds available that would work well for filling the dents?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Originally Posted by Maine Vette
As was pointed out, there is some damage to the tranny crossmember as well, although the damage is pretty minor (+/- 1/8" divots). Any recommendations for those areas? Any epoxy compounds available that would work well for filling the dents?
Next thing you know, you'll be like me:
cutting little squares of carpet to go between the frame and jack stands.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1
From: New Cumberland PA
Originally Posted by NHvette
Just leave 'em ... adds some character.
Next thing you know, you'll be like me:
cutting little squares of carpet to go between the frame and jack stands.
Next thing you know, you'll be like me:
cutting little squares of carpet to go between the frame and jack stands.
(I do the same thing)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Carpet on the jack ?!?!
Well, of course - just have to make sure it can't slide off.
What I'd really like is a nice floor jack with the rubber cover for the cup.
Sometimes I use a square of poly foam.
****
Tim - being a structural engineer, you probably have it all figured
out, but I have a series of photos that show the lower CA gussets
being installed.
If interested, start at the link below ... and change the number from 1 through 9.
http://NHvette.com/ftp/in/vette_fram..._gusset_01.jpg
Note the corner gusset at the frame horn is not shown in detail.
It is 2" wide stock that goes from the edge of the lower CA bracket
out to the edge of the frame horn.
While you are welding, I would suggest a look at strengthening
the area where the rear kickup meets the rear crossmember.
My 75 was completely cracked at the front edge where they meet.
... not the diagonal brace - but the front of the TA pocket itself.
Well, of course - just have to make sure it can't slide off.
What I'd really like is a nice floor jack with the rubber cover for the cup.
Sometimes I use a square of poly foam.
****
Tim - being a structural engineer, you probably have it all figured
out, but I have a series of photos that show the lower CA gussets
being installed.
If interested, start at the link below ... and change the number from 1 through 9.
http://NHvette.com/ftp/in/vette_fram..._gusset_01.jpg
Note the corner gusset at the frame horn is not shown in detail.
It is 2" wide stock that goes from the edge of the lower CA bracket
out to the edge of the frame horn.
While you are welding, I would suggest a look at strengthening
the area where the rear kickup meets the rear crossmember.
My 75 was completely cracked at the front edge where they meet.
... not the diagonal brace - but the front of the TA pocket itself.
Last edited by NHvette; Oct 19, 2005 at 02:49 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Toronto Ontario
im actually working on the frame on my 73 and had the same issue.what i did is cut out the piece completely right at the welds,grinded them down,sandblasted the inside area and duplicated the piece with 1/8" steel.i used a press to duplicate the indents and welded it in.i had to go back and forth to look at my freinds car to find all the original weld points from the facotry etc.when i finished i re-sandblasted the whole area so its texture would match and not show the repair.you cant even tell it was fixed at all.
**** but worth it.
**** but worth it.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Toronto Ontario
Originally Posted by Maine Vette
So it looks like I'll be doing a home made repair. I was thinking of strengthening the lower cross member by installing some ribs inside the frame so that the bottom plate would bottom against those rather than distorting. I have a few days before I get to that so I'll give it some more thought.
As was pointed out, there is some damage to the tranny crossmember as well, although the damage is pretty minor (+/- 1/8" divots). Any recommendations for those areas? Any epoxy compounds available that would work well for filling the dents?
Racer
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 397
Likes: 1
From: CORTLANDT MANOR NY
For all you guys who are worried about scratching your frame with a floor jack I have a solution. Hockey pucks!!!
Hard rubber hockey pucks fit nicely between the frame and the jack and leave no marks. They are pretty cheap about $2.00 and they last forever.
Hard rubber hockey pucks fit nicely between the frame and the jack and leave no marks. They are pretty cheap about $2.00 and they last forever.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,654
Likes: 0
From: Chandler Arizona
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by BUGGSY1970
For all you guys who are worried about scratching your frame with a floor jack I have a solution. Hockey pucks!!!
Hard rubber hockey pucks fit nicely between the frame and the jack and leave no marks. They are pretty cheap about $2.00 and they last forever.
Hard rubber hockey pucks fit nicely between the frame and the jack and leave no marks. They are pretty cheap about $2.00 and they last forever.
Go Avs!!!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 3
From: East Waterboro Maine
There have been some good suggestions here. I think I'm going to go for a strengthened, but mostly stock looking repair. Hopefully this will turn out to be a productive weekend, I'll let you guys know how it goes.
Dave, being an engineer is just as much a curse as a blessing when it comes to this stuff, you can probably relate. Last night I had to restrain myself from running a finite element anlaysis on the front cross member to figure out how thick the replacement plate would have to be to prevent future damage. Luckily, my better sense prevailed.
Good suggestion about the hockey pucks Buggsy, thanks!
Dave, being an engineer is just as much a curse as a blessing when it comes to this stuff, you can probably relate. Last night I had to restrain myself from running a finite element anlaysis on the front cross member to figure out how thick the replacement plate would have to be to prevent future damage.
Luckily, my better sense prevailed. Good suggestion about the hockey pucks Buggsy, thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Yes the curse of thinking too much ... know it well.
I like the hockey puck idea, too. So happens my youngest has
been shooting the pucks around lately, and I've been tripping over them.
"Dad, do you know where the pucks went ??"
I like the hockey puck idea, too. So happens my youngest has
been shooting the pucks around lately, and I've been tripping over them.
"Dad, do you know where the pucks went ??"