Cracked frame advice
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 708
Likes: 27
Cracked frame advice
Hi,
So I have a crack in the frame of my 81. My plan is to drill the end of the crack and then weld it up. So here are my questions:
1. Should I add a reinforcement plate over the crack?
2. Currently it is sitting on it's rear wheels with jack stands on the lower front shock mounts, should I do what I can to put jack stands behind the crack to let the front end sag to relieve the pressure on the crack or weld it as is, or another option?
Here is a picture of the crack.
Any other advice besides clean it well and v grind it?
Thanks,
Douglas
So I have a crack in the frame of my 81. My plan is to drill the end of the crack and then weld it up. So here are my questions:
1. Should I add a reinforcement plate over the crack?
2. Currently it is sitting on it's rear wheels with jack stands on the lower front shock mounts, should I do what I can to put jack stands behind the crack to let the front end sag to relieve the pressure on the crack or weld it as is, or another option?
Here is a picture of the crack.
Any other advice besides clean it well and v grind it?
Thanks,
Douglas
Racer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 294
Likes: 10
From: Palmer Alaska
1. Clean it WELL and inspect. Possible the surrounding metal is fatigued too. Also you can only clean what you can see and there may be junk on the other side in the box. I can't remember the series either a 5000 or 8000 series rod but it is designed to work with metal having contaminants, thats what I would use. Might be worth letting a metal shop do it. If it were me and I am not a professional (hobbyist at best) welder FWIW I would put the frame in a position where the cracked area is not under a load in any direction.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,150
Likes: 154
after you v the joint,drill a hole and weld the crack I would pick up on the existing lap weld and continue that weld about 3 inches past the crack. I don't think fish plating is necessary and if you get a 100% penitration on your weld you could grind your weld smooth.The lap weld will stop any future cracking in that area.I'm going to assume you're going to mig it,if so see if you can use 80s-2 wire instead of 70s-6 or 70s-2
