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Is this.... Bubba??

Old Aug 23, 2013 | 11:02 AM
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Default Is this.... Bubba??

While working on the rear brakes, I happened to take notice of the upper shock mount that is welded to the frame. Quite a difference in appearance between the Driver's and Passenger's side mounts. I'm not terribly familiar with what kind of care these cars were assembled with at the factory. Did Bubba make some sort of "repair" on the Driver's side shock mount - or was the new guy on the assembly line that day?

The rest of the car is quite solid - I don't see any evidence of any rot or issues that would have required a repair to the Driver's side suspension - so if it was repaired, I'm not sure why. Is there a known issue with the suspension mounts on these cars?


Passenger's Side - Looks ok








Driver's side - what happened here??







Thanks for your help folks!
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Old Aug 23, 2013 | 11:10 AM
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I think it is reasonable to conlude the driver's side mount has had a little work.

My welding looks like that which is the chief reason I do not weld.
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Old Aug 23, 2013 | 11:23 AM
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That's a stick weld. Ugly, yes. But more importantly is what's on the other side.
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Old Aug 23, 2013 | 11:29 AM
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Well, the driver's side mount was [apparently] welded "poorly" at the factory. That caused the mount to separate from the frame when it experienced a high-stress condition.

The 'solution' for that problem was for someone to try out their $50 Harbor Freight welder unit by using an old coathanger as a welding rod, then tacking the mount back to the frame with it -- meaning THE WHOLE DANG ROD. {absolute horrible job of welding }

But, it seems to be holding together. {Even a blind sow finds an acorn once in a while....}

P.S. No, this was NOT done by Bubba. I see no duct tape anywhere, and the repair attempted to duplicate the original construction.

Last edited by 7T1vette; Aug 23, 2013 at 11:32 AM.
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Old Aug 23, 2013 | 11:43 AM
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Originally Posted by 7T1vette
Well, the driver's side mount was [apparently] welded "poorly" at the factory. That caused the mount to separate from the frame when it experienced a high-stress condition.
Are you insinuating that the StL craftsmen didn't do their job properly? :
If you're not, I am and I have proof!
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Old Aug 23, 2013 | 11:46 AM
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Most did OK; some did fine work. Those that were produced on Friday afternoon (after liquid lunch), or on Monday morning, were "suspect".
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Old Aug 23, 2013 | 12:19 PM
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Originally Posted by spot99
...Are you insinuating that the StL craftsmen didn't do their job properly?...
Don't shoot the piano player. C3 frames were made by the A. O. Smith Company and shipped to St. Louis. The mount might have looked fine when the frame was inspected at St. Louis.

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Old Aug 23, 2013 | 12:22 PM
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Looks like the 'ole car battery and a coat hanger welding trick...

yup.....you been Bubba-ed!



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Old Aug 23, 2013 | 02:10 PM
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It's very difficult to weld upside down. Gravity is fighting your ability to get a good "puddle" going. If you can make your weld look like a stack of dimes welding upward like that, then you are a very skilled welder, indeed. And I am not being sarcastic here, there are guys who can do it.

It's not that bad of a weld, I've seen way, way worse.

Scott
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Old Aug 23, 2013 | 05:44 PM
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Not a pretty weld at all, but It looks like its been holding for awhile. It also looks like it has been welded on backwards.
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Old Aug 23, 2013 | 06:14 PM
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That's some of the worst welding I've seen... Ever
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Old Aug 23, 2013 | 06:50 PM
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Originally Posted by scrappy76
Not a pretty weld at all, but It looks like its been holding for awhile. It also looks like it has been welded on backwards.
Holy crap! You're right - it is on different than the other side. Thanks for the help guys. Aside from the aftermarket alarm business that I think I've taken care of, this seems to be the only questionable repair I've encountered so far.

Hoping to finally try and get 'her started this weekend...
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Old Aug 23, 2013 | 09:35 PM
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I think it was welded after it left the factory. It looks like some of the weld splatter is on the shock absorber. If this was a factory weld there would not be a shock absorber in place.

And the shock absorber was probable left there to hold the bracket in place to facilitate the weld job.

kdf
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Old Aug 23, 2013 | 10:38 PM
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Definitely not a Bubba. No evidence of J-B Weld, coat hanger wire, or duct tape. That's actually a "McIvor". He did some welding in his day and I remember him using a car battery for the power source and a Nickel for the welding rod.
Duane
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