steering box and cracked frames!!!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 0
From: SASKATOON SK
steering box and cracked frames!!!
has anyone experienced this problem??? while driving i heard a clunk coming from the frontend. when i got home i looked at the steering box and found tht it was wiggling when i turned the wheel back and forth. i imagine that there must be some movement of th steering box. i had to take a closer look at it....i removed the wheel and found that the frame was broken........i have some pics for you guys
Rod :cool:
Rod :cool:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
Likes: 14
From: Austin TX
Re: steering box and cracked frames!!! (Rod Rodriguez)
Almost the exact same thing happened to me about 5 years ago - a 5 inch tear in the front cross member occurred as I was pulling into the garage.
Check for failed welds in the same area on both sides.
Check for failed welds in the same area on both sides.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,185
Likes: 0
From: New Wilmington PA
Re: steering box and cracked frames!!! (Rod Rodriguez)
If that's a lower control arm bracket I'm in that club.
My repair was about $200 to have them re welded.
I wonder if this is some sort of design flaw?
My repair was about $200 to have them re welded.
I wonder if this is some sort of design flaw?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
Likes: 14
From: Austin TX
Re: steering box and cracked frames!!! (Rod Rodriguez)
About $100 to repair or reweld 5 locations.
I don't think it was really a design flaw: GM didn't expect these cars to be driven hard thirty years after production......
I don't think it was really a design flaw: GM didn't expect these cars to be driven hard thirty years after production......
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Re: steering box and cracked frames!!! (Rod Rodriguez)
On the same theme! This is a member's pic from about one year ago. Perhaps he/she will read and let you know the cost of repair. You really have to pay close attention to the frames on these cars....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,185
Likes: 0
From: New Wilmington PA
Re: steering box and cracked frames!!! (flynhi)
I don't think it was really a design flaw: GM didn't expect these cars to be driven hard thirty years after production......
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,169
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From: SASKATOON SK
Re: steering box and cracked frames!!! (LATNC3 (Rod R))
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,660
Likes: 3
From: South Central Louisiana
St. Jude Contributor
Re: steering box and cracked frames!!! (78Vette-SA)
I have seen this once before on a 78 that was for sale in this area. That same bracket was torn off of the frame. But yours isn't as rusty as that one. As mentioned above 30 years of fatigue will get to it..... I wouldn't imagine it would be more than $200.00 to repair.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
Re: steering box and cracked frames!!! (LATNC3 (Rod R))
See that little rectangular block that the 2 bolts screw into? it's too small for the loads and it has SHARP edges! I was involved in this repair (actually a front frame section replacement) that my machinist did for a guy on a '75. We made a template and added a gusset to each side under that block that extends up the frame about an inch and is welded on to the frame. Then we slightly rounded the edges of the mounting block to better distribute the load and so that it would not cut the frame. I can e-mail the specs and a picture of the template to anyone that wants it. WARNING!, this is not NCRS correct.
Hans
Hans
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 65,981
Likes: 15
Re: steering box and cracked frames!!! (LATNC3 (Rod R))
Ouch! That looks nasty. I had some Mig welding done to my front frame section, but the cracks were only some hairline cracks that I stopped dead in their tracks. After cleaning up the welds and applying POR-15 to the frame, I doubt that many potential buyers could find the welds. A friend did my repair for free, but I gave him $50. By the way, use Mig welding. I hear it is far easier to use. Make sure that the fuel line is safely protected and put some fireproof blankets over the fenders. Sparks will fly everywhere, and you will need to protect the paint and fuel lines. Also, make sure there are no gasoline fumes before striking an arc. Good luck.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 25,778
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From: Zionsville, PA NRA Life Member
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Re: steering box and cracked frames!!! (LATNC3 (Rod R))
On my '77, where the power assist connects to the frame on the driver's side , I almost ripped that out completely. :cry I took a piece of 1/4" steel plate and fit that to the opening in the frame. I made the hole a little bit bigger to make the sides straight. Drill and tap your mounting holes first, before you put the plate in. It's much easier this way. :yesnod: Unhook your battery. This can save your alternator. Mig weld your plate in.
Welding tips. Do not have the heat set too high. This will crystalize the surrounding metal ,making it weaker. The edge of the weld should not be deeply undercut. ( a sign of being too hot) If overhead welding, short passes are fine. You don't have to do the entire pass at once. Wear long sleeve shirt and long pants. Welding sparks are hot, trust me on this one. :jester Have a friend watching for fire, keep a fire extinguisher handy.
Good luck :cheers: And just think how much better it will handle when you're done. :seeya
Welding tips. Do not have the heat set too high. This will crystalize the surrounding metal ,making it weaker. The edge of the weld should not be deeply undercut. ( a sign of being too hot) If overhead welding, short passes are fine. You don't have to do the entire pass at once. Wear long sleeve shirt and long pants. Welding sparks are hot, trust me on this one. :jester Have a friend watching for fire, keep a fire extinguisher handy.
Good luck :cheers: And just think how much better it will handle when you're done. :seeya
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 963
Likes: 0
From: melbourne,Australia
Re: steering box and cracked frames!!! (LATNC3 (Rod R))
Sadly that point on the frame is subject to high stress loadings and it is not surprising that it should eventually fail......mine certainly did....it is not a major job for a skilled welder.....one remedy is to insert a length of plate about 6" to 8" long into the rail to spread the load over a greater area....good luck with the repairs......john :chevy
