control arm mount needs welding?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 453
Likes: 1
From: Austin TX
control arm mount needs welding?
So I pulled my engine today and started doing a little cleaning in the compartment area. I'm not sure how to go about cleaning the gunk off to be able and paint later, so I just starting blowing paint and greese off with the pressure washer..Anyhow I came across the passenger side lower control arm mount and it looks like it needs a bit of attention. I wire wheeled it up to see it better. The actual mount looks long like it sticks up a little on the "cradle" part of the frame it's welded to. On this upper part it's broken away and peeled back. I don't think this is normal and I'm wondering if I should pound it down then try to weld it back to the frame or leave it how it is and fill it in with a piece of metal, then weld. Also, if you look closesly in the cleaner pics, you can see a crack running up the side of the mount. Will laying a bead of weld over it suffice?
I can't weld so this should be fun.
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I can't weld so this should be fun.
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Safety Car
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,176
Likes: 7
From: Jennings LA
Originally Posted by big_G
Get someone with a mig welder to fix that for you. It's a common problem. The bracket is supposed to be a bit above the frame. All is good. 
mine was high like that also and I thought I had a problem, it is normal
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,259
Likes: 7
From: Ontario
It looks like someone tried to repair it before. Get a good experinced welder to come by your home todo that properly.
You are doing a very good job cleaning the frame...looks great. You will need to wipe it down with something after the pressure washing to get any oil film. Might also consider wire wheeling it all after that.
You are doing a very good job cleaning the frame...looks great. You will need to wipe it down with something after the pressure washing to get any oil film. Might also consider wire wheeling it all after that.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
If all grease and paint are removed it is an easy job to fix. Like Doug said wire brush the area really well. The secret to good welds is the cleaning followed by mig/gas welding.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
and...
If it was me, I'd get a grinder or something similar and clean up the remnants of those previous attempts at welding, so the new guy gets a clean shot at it. Be sure and check the spot welds underneath that hold the lower control arm mount to the frame, and look for tears at the front of the mount where it bolts to the cross-member. I have a template for a steel reinforcing plate that really stengthens that front mount area if your interested. It would be a snap to do it at the same time the rear mounts get welded. All this gets real important if your going to put big, sticky tires on it. Another cool add-on is the upper control arm cross-brace, that really removes most of the frame flex that causes other frame flex/cracking issues. NIce clean-up job...
Hans
Hans
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,375
Likes: 788
From: Redondo Beach, California
After wire brushing off the accumulated grime and grease: I wire brushed it until the metal frame was pretty much stripped of paint, I next swabbed it down several times with paper towels soaked with lacquer thinner.
If you're going to re-weld the motor mount, think about adding some gussets to the part of the frame crossmember where the lower control arms bolt to the frame, also the corners of the front crossmember where they mate to the frame rails. You can make some templates with thick cardboard and have someone cut the gussets from steel plate. I think some other forum members have already posted pictures of reinforcing these areas. It's not necessary for most people, but if you've got a welder on site, might as well fix up some other potential weak areas.
If you're going to re-weld the motor mount, think about adding some gussets to the part of the frame crossmember where the lower control arms bolt to the frame, also the corners of the front crossmember where they mate to the frame rails. You can make some templates with thick cardboard and have someone cut the gussets from steel plate. I think some other forum members have already posted pictures of reinforcing these areas. It's not necessary for most people, but if you've got a welder on site, might as well fix up some other potential weak areas.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
Originally Posted by 68/70Vette
If you're going to re-weld the motor mount, think about adding some gussets to the part of the frame crossmember where the lower control arms bolt to the frame, also the corners of the front crossmember where they mate to the frame rails. You can make some templates with thick cardboard and have someone cut the gussets from steel plate. I think some other forum members have already posted pictures of reinforcing these areas. It's not necessary for most people, but if you've got a welder on site, might as well fix up some other potential weak areas.
Hans
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 453
Likes: 1
From: Austin TX
Thanks for the replies, I was hoping it wasn't something majorly wrong. I'm sort of interested in the gussets and rewelding of areas, definately if they are weak. Unfortuanately, I lack the skills to weld the stuff up and I won't have time to touch it this week until Saturday or Sunday. I'll see what I can do as far as having the welding done. I think my dad has a wire feed welder, but he hasn't welded up this kind of stuff before. Anywho, thanks again and I might post the results if the welds don't resemble pigeon crap 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 7
From: Brazos TX
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Yep, that's a common problem. I've had to deal with a similar situation (and on the same side of the car). I sent you a pm hoping you can help out with a few more photos.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,375
Likes: 788
From: Redondo Beach, California
Originally Posted by blctalon
I think my dad has a wire feed welder, but he hasn't welded up this kind of stuff before. Anywho, thanks again and I might post the results if the welds don't resemble pigeon crap
PS: I't be great to join into the experiences my friends at those per-midnight shift get-togethers. From what I've heard GM/AC Delco/Frigidaire factory rats worked hard and party'd hard.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 453
Likes: 1
From: Austin TX
Alright.. I apologize for the late follow up, but that's how things go sometimes. I attempted to weld the stuff myself. It sure didn't turn out pretty but I think it'll hold better than before. Maybe after paint and stuff I won't notice. 
Anyhow, this is really only my second time to use a welder and things, so here are some links in all its ugliness. Oh ya, I removed the a-arms today and will be sandblasting tomorrow if it doesn't rain too much.
P.S: there's a few other pics on my flickr site you might find interesting and I'll add more as I go through my journey here. I wish I had the patience to do this when I did the differential.
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Anyhow, this is really only my second time to use a welder and things, so here are some links in all its ugliness. Oh ya, I removed the a-arms today and will be sandblasting tomorrow if it doesn't rain too much.P.S: there's a few other pics on my flickr site you might find interesting and I'll add more as I go through my journey here. I wish I had the patience to do this when I did the differential.
more1
more2
more3
more4
more5
more6
