C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Cracked frame

Old Jun 24, 2002 | 05:41 PM
  #1  
Widgett's Avatar
Widgett
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Madison AL
Default Cracked frame

Have any of you experienced cracks on the frame of your C3? I have a crack on the lower outside corner of the frame behind the rear lower control arm mount. It is right along the edge where the power steering piston connnects to the A shaped support bracket that mounts to the frame. I have heard of stress cracks in the welds on the crossmember, but this is not on a weld. This is the wall are right in the 90 degree bend. There is almost a quarter inch gap of material which has broken and is missing. The gap is not from and separation of the frame.
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2002 | 05:45 PM
  #2  
BB wowbagger's Avatar
BB wowbagger
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,298
Likes: 1
From: Sodertalje/Sweden
Default Re: Cracked frame (Widgett)

Just get a nice piece of 1/4 sheet metall and weld it...And then some paint..Then sell :smash: :smash: :jester
Seriously..Cant you just get a nice pice of metall and just weld it to the frame? :cheers:
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2002 | 06:41 PM
  #3  
73-454's Avatar
73-454
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 787
Likes: 1
From: Toronto Ontario
Default Re: Cracked frame (BB wowbagger)

That is called Vette rot, your entire frame and winshield frame are rotten, take it directly to the bone yard, You have a very unsafe car.
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2002 | 06:49 PM
  #4  
Wrencher's Avatar
Wrencher
Safety Car
25 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
Default Re: Cracked frame (73-454)

Ouch 73-454! Thats some brutal advice, but go ahead and determine if it is rot/rust and decide if you want to do the frame replacement if it is.

Hans
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2002 | 07:07 PM
  #5  
lbell101's Avatar
lbell101
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,214
Likes: 0
From: Casa Grande AZ
Default Re: Cracked frame (Wrencher)

Don't mind 73-454. He's off his medication - again.

Vettes frames are prone to rot in some locations. Alot of folks here have either fixed or replaced all or portions of thier frames. You need to do a complete inspection of your frame. Then search the archives for 'frame repair' or 'rusty frame'. Lots of different methods have been discussed and you will see what others have done.
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2002 | 08:25 PM
  #6  
JB's Avatar
JB
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,023
Likes: 2
From: TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS
St. Jude Contributor
Default Re: Cracked frame (lbell101)

Probably not rot at all. I've seen several vettes with cracks exactly where you describe--it's a weak point in the frame and they crack there all the time. It just needs to be welded and it will be as good as new--a cheap fix, shouldn't cost most than $100.

JB
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2002 | 09:33 PM
  #7  
Paul L's Avatar
Paul L
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Default Re: Cracked frame (Widgett)

A good welder can fix this (pic) and your problem.

Reply
Old Jun 24, 2002 | 09:43 PM
  #8  
vetteflame79's Avatar
vetteflame79
Pro
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 516
Likes: 0
From: oldsmar florida
St. Jude Donor '06
Default Re: Cracked frame (Widgett)

I had the same problem. took to a vette shop and he told me he has seen this alot in the 77-79 years--- don't know why... he took mine apart and welded it . been fine ever sence. :seeya
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 24, 2002 | 10:46 PM
  #9  
427V8's Avatar
427V8
C6 the C5 of tomorrow
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,665
Likes: 2
From: Twin Cities Minnesota
Default Re: Cracked frame (lbell101)

Don't mind 73-454. He's off his medication - again.
:smash: :smash: :smash: :lol:
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2002 | 11:07 PM
  #10  
bigvette1's Avatar
bigvette1
Drifting
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 11
From: Schaumburg IL
Default Re: Cracked frame (427V8)

You guys can be brutal. "Don't mind 73-454. He's off his medication - again."

Don't drive it with a cracked frame - get it fixed is what he wants to say. A little brevity is good for the forum. Thanks for a good chuckle.
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2002 | 11:36 PM
  #11  
LATNC3's Avatar
LATNC3
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 0
From: SASKATOON SK
Default Re: Cracked frame (Widgett)

mine and Darcy bast have cracked frames......is this a GM manufacturing problem? i also have a chevy 1/2 ton with the same problem!!

Rod:cool:
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2002 | 12:04 PM
  #12  
Widgett's Avatar
Widgett
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Madison AL
Default Re: Cracked frame (LATNC3 (Rod R))

The frame doesn't show any signs of rot, the wall thickness is 1/8" or better. There is a stress crack and fractured metal missing. I'm the only owner of this car and it has never been out of north Alabama. It has never been exposed to salted road conditions, so I can't believe it's due to frame rot.
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2002 | 12:09 PM
  #13  
MikeC's Avatar
MikeC
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,635
Likes: 0
From: Union Ontario
Default Re: Cracked frame (Widgett)

Its just from the stress of the hydraulic ram pushing and pulling on the frame for 21 years. Fix it... but make it bullet proof this time.

And ignore 73-454, he's just a troll.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Cracked frame



Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:41 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE