Front Crossmember Broke
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 494
Likes: 2
From: rockwall tx
Front Crossmember Broke
Had a little incident Monday morning in my 78. Had a driver pull out in front of me, had to lock up the brakes and bumped a curb. When I did, the front crossmember gave where the lower control arm bolts to it. I have done some research, but what I can't find is, is the front crossmember welded to the front of the frame or can it be unbolted and taken out to be welded up stronger.
Here is what it looks like. Any help is much appreciated.
Here is what it looks like. Any help is much appreciated.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 13,015
Likes: 2,259
From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
2020 Corvette of the Year (performance mods)
C2 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
2017 C2 of Year Finalist
Pretty common break point. You can see the rust where it was cracked for some time.
It can be welded up nicely and do fine.
JIM
It can be welded up nicely and do fine.
JIM
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 49
From: Bridgewater nj
I guess it's a good time to order the front end bushing kit while you have everything blown apart 
You have a lot of good metal and it looks like you can tap it right back into place. My best advise is clean the cracked areas inside and out. That's going to be the time consuming work. Welding it up looks like a 10-15 minute job
You have a lot of good metal and it looks like you can tap it right back into place. My best advise is clean the cracked areas inside and out. That's going to be the time consuming work. Welding it up looks like a 10-15 minute job
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,417
Likes: 336
From: Texas
I had a similar curb accident to mine several years ago, the lower bracket can be had at Zip- corvette. it took me two months to fix mine. a welder some metal and some beating with a hammer and some time , it can be repaired. good luck.
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Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 698
Likes: 8
From: Stockholm Sweden
Jeesus, that doesn't look nice.. 
When you have your crossmember repaired there are some easy made reinforcements you can add to strengthen it up a bit.
The major one is to complete all the welding that GM only did half of.
Next is to add some profiles that was added on the racecars.
This will add significant strength to your front end.
When you have your crossmember repaired there are some easy made reinforcements you can add to strengthen it up a bit.
The major one is to complete all the welding that GM only did half of.
Next is to add some profiles that was added on the racecars.
This will add significant strength to your front end.
Drifting
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,353
Likes: 44
From: Calgary Alberta
Jeesus, that doesn't look nice..
When you have your crossmember repaired there are some easy made reinforcements you can add to strengthen it up a bit.
The major one is to complete all the welding that GM only did half of.
Next is to add some profiles that was added on the racecars.
This will add significant strength to your front end.
When you have your crossmember repaired there are some easy made reinforcements you can add to strengthen it up a bit.
The major one is to complete all the welding that GM only did half of.
Next is to add some profiles that was added on the racecars.
This will add significant strength to your front end.
Pretty cool.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
Oowch, thats bad. U need to close that up and straighten the member before welding. Not to many frame shops these days as most cars are unibody - but u need to look for one. A mechanic found and welded a big crack mine before disaster hit. Wish someone made a good tubular replacement but that would be a cut and weld job also. Ricky B. has a nice fix from what i can see.
Good luck,
cardo0
Good luck,
cardo0
Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 698
Likes: 8
From: Stockholm Sweden
Forgotten to say that the upper and lower sections of the front crossmember are only point welded (spot welded?) together (where yours has split).
I welded mine 100% by welding the visual gap where the two sections bind together.
I think i may be wise to look for a replacement bottom section so one can start the repair with undamaged steel.
I welded mine 100% by welding the visual gap where the two sections bind together.
I think i may be wise to look for a replacement bottom section so one can start the repair with undamaged steel.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,716
Likes: 121
From: Sulphur LA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06,'11,'13-'14,'16,'18,'19,'24, '25
Yes have it repaired by a welder,
I worked mine over when I had the engine out,
Many more to add than just in the pics, motor mounts, front frame horns
Mine were cracked all around the lower A-arm mounts and where the cross-member attaches to the frame.
Neal
I worked mine over when I had the engine out,
Many more to add than just in the pics, motor mounts, front frame horns
Mine were cracked all around the lower A-arm mounts and where the cross-member attaches to the frame.
Neal
Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 698
Likes: 8
From: Stockholm Sweden
Here you can see the full weld securing the earlier only spotwelded sections of the crossmember. 
If you are interested there are some more pictures in my garage.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/memb...-72-18802.html
If you are interested there are some more pictures in my garage.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/memb...-72-18802.html
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 802
Likes: 1
If your worried about originality, I would get the welder to add a brace on the inside first. Then bend the belly pan back and weld around. The belly pan is just some thin sheet metal. You'll need to get a wheel alignment done as well since you'll never get these pieces back to the original place.
If your not worried about originality, add the brace as shown above by RickyBerg. I think the braces by Chevyman is interesting but a little overkill unless you are doing some serious torturous driving.
Steve L.
73 coupe since new
If your not worried about originality, add the brace as shown above by RickyBerg. I think the braces by Chevyman is interesting but a little overkill unless you are doing some serious torturous driving.
Steve L.
73 coupe since new