Frame repair??
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 459
Likes: 6
From: Fort Worth Texas
Frame repair??
Another question for the experts. This vette was rearended in the past, and the tail section/ rear bumper has been replaced. Also has had work done on the suspension as you can see. The frame has been sanded and repainted in the rear, but not all the way up- which seemed a little unusual, but maybe they just decided to clean it up a little when the rear suspension was rebuilt. Are those vertical frame weids normal, or has it had a patch job?
Racer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 371
Likes: 65
From: south wilmington il.
it looks like they cut a spot where the frame buckled and spliced in a new rear section.they should have used a frame machine to get the buckled piece back straight,but its faster to cut and weld a piece in than to spend the hours necessary to fix it right.since that spot is right over the spring and crossmember i would weld in a 1/4 in. plate on each side over the welded area at least 2 inches past each weld,basically covering the seam they left.you really only need it on the outside and inside to be effective not the top and bottom.im just a welder and that is how i would fix it and when i was done, if it were my car i would drive it anywhere without any worries.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
I'm thinking that 1-1/2" wide piece at the center of that member IS a piece that overlaps the initial weld point. If that piece is made of good material and the welds were done properly, it's probably as strong as the original frame. But, you will have to investigate to see what you actually have there.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 459
Likes: 6
From: Fort Worth Texas
I'm thinking that 1-1/2" wide piece at the center of that member IS a piece that overlaps the initial weld point. If that piece is made of good material and the welds were done properly, it's probably as strong as the original frame. But, you will have to investigate to see what you actually have there.
