Stress Cracks
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Aviano
Stress Cracks
I have over the last several months developed stress cracks in the front end of the 71. Above the left wheel well has one about 5 inches long and arond the same side headlights.. Before I get these repaired and a new paint job I would like to make upgrades to prevent this from happening again.
Would suspension upgrades help this problem? If so what would be the appropriate kit to do the job?
After that what else might help?
Would suspension upgrades help this problem? If so what would be the appropriate kit to do the job?
After that what else might help?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 39
From: Fremont CA
You may have a poorly done repair on your Vette. The proper way to repair it would be to drill 2 holes at the ends of the crack, grind the crack out and re-glass it in the area of failure. If some "bubba" did some poor body work on your Vette, there may be more work than that needed. I will tell you that almos no 40+ year old fiberglass car is ever going to withstand the abuses of driving down the road unless it has been completly rebuilt. I know the guy who did my wife's 70 roadster is pretty darn good with C3 Vettes but, even it is showing some little stress cracks from over 5K miles of driving.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
It may also be an indication that something in the body mount 'system' is failing and causing undue stress in various areas around the body. You might want to do a good evaluation of the body mounts and frame/birdcage.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,889
Likes: 23
From: Kansas
As I have had several Corvettes, I think some of the earlier models of each model, C 1, C 2 and the C 3, were braced in different locations, as the factory made them, in later years, of the different years, they installed bracing in locations where none was at before, in order to eliminate stress cracking. Just my opinion, I don't know this as a fact, My car has never been in a wreck or in the rain, but it has cracks in the paint, but not in the glass. Lots of Laughs, Have a great one. Gene
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Aviano
The paint / body work is 12 years old.. Way before I owned the car. The frame / body mounts I had checked out and repaired when I bought the car and an undercoating sprayed on to prevent rust so I really cant see if there is a problem with those now without peeling all the undercoating off.
Thanks for the tips I will replace the suspension and have the frame / body mounts checked out on that corner of the car.
Thanks for the tips if theres anything else let me know.
Thanks for the tips I will replace the suspension and have the frame / body mounts checked out on that corner of the car.
Thanks for the tips if theres anything else let me know.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 17
From: Sewell NJ
There is something else you should consider. Most of the cracks that appear on the top of the front fenders are caused by rocks and debris striking the bottom of the fender. If you look up in the wheel well you will see that the bottom surface of the fender is unprotected. Flying debris can hit this area causing surface cracks also called stars on the top of the fender. An easy fix, and one that I did after I ruined a new paint job, was to glue 1/2 inch thick foam to the underside of the fender. I used a foam kitchen mat that I cut to size and glued to the bottom of the fender with liquid nails. I then coated the foam with spray on undercoating and it virtually disappeared. I repainted the fenders and haven't had any more problems. This is going on probably 15 years or more so it definitely fixed the issue I had. Take a look because this simple fix might save you a lot of work and expense. Good luck.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Aviano
I have an undercoating on the fenders right now as well I will probably go with the foam idea too that sounds nice. 
I wish I could take pics right now I am deployed still and the car is in storage.. Right now I am just trying to get together the parts list of what I will need to have waiting when i get back and have time off to work on it.. Just so I can drive it a few weeks before I put it back in storage for the winter..
I wish I could take pics right now I am deployed still and the car is in storage.. Right now I am just trying to get together the parts list of what I will need to have waiting when i get back and have time off to work on it.. Just so I can drive it a few weeks before I put it back in storage for the winter..
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,320
Likes: 4,428
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi S71,
One other thought.
Do you know how much much paint is on the car?
Often if a car is repainted without removing everything that's been sprayed on the car previously, (all the way to bare fiberglass), the thickness of the total coats of primer, sealer, and paint, can cause cracks in the top layer of paint that don't extend to the fiberglass.
I agree that pictures would help an assessment.
Regards,
Alan
One other thought.
Do you know how much much paint is on the car?
Often if a car is repainted without removing everything that's been sprayed on the car previously, (all the way to bare fiberglass), the thickness of the total coats of primer, sealer, and paint, can cause cracks in the top layer of paint that don't extend to the fiberglass.
I agree that pictures would help an assessment.
Regards,
Alan