Welded rear crossmember
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 119
Likes: 5
From: Spain
Unfortunately I won't be able to get any more pictures till February at least but I'm reasonably clear now about the issues with having that welded.
As to why it might have been done I'm not too sure, the 2 explanations I came up with are either a very crappy repair job or as a way to stiffen the rear suspension for performance reasons.
As to why it might have been done I'm not too sure, the 2 explanations I came up with are either a very crappy repair job or as a way to stiffen the rear suspension for performance reasons.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,742
Likes: 2,583
the normal way to stiffen that crossmember is to remove the bolts and use round aluminum blocks under the bolt heads, not welding. See link below.
https://willcoxcorvette.com/corvette...cing-kit-63-75
https://willcoxcorvette.com/corvette...cing-kit-63-75
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 38,362
Likes: 2,085
From: California
The aluminum discs are more safety, but also give a bigger footprint to prevent that crossmember from rocking on the rubber donuts! For street cars, you want some isolation by use of rubber or a softer material for street! Usually welding that crossmember is to remove the rubber and bushings to move it upwards, essentially lowering the car! The rear crossmember welded substantially reinforces and strengthens that rear frame area. It also eliminates any movement of the diff that could translate out to suspension and handling and gives stability to the drivetrain component relations under hard usage! I hate to give secrets away, but on my racecar to shed weight, that heavy piece of metal is gone except for just the rear diff mount area welded up!
Last edited by TCracingCA; Nov 25, 2017 at 02:36 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 38,362
Likes: 2,085
From: California
I do that with chromoly to chromoly or chromoly welded to steel, but never needed to anneal or normalize steel welding on steel! If you tig, then you never need to do any of that!
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,364
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From: los altos hills california
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 38,362
Likes: 2,085
From: California
Generally not! A lot of racecars just have removable panels or nothing back there to get all into the rear end area from above! That crossmember doesn't look like it was moved upward! My question on old race or old autocross cars when I see something like this, there are more mods that give a clue to maybe some history!
