Cross-member deformation
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 306
Likes: 1
From: N. Charleston SC
Cross-member deformation
Is there anything that can be done about the dented and deformed cross member.... the part of the frame just forward of the oil pan that BUBBA places his floor jack under to jack the front of the car up with. That area inevitably becomes "pushed in" over many years of improper jacking. Has anyone ever tried to "pull it" back out or replace the dented section with a nice new smooth section?
Thanks
:flag
Thanks
:flag
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,431
Likes: 52
From: Florida
Re: Cross-member deformation (Red69)
I saw the repair done on Dream Car Garage, they cut the old metal out and welded in new metal. They indicated this was the easiest/best way to handle it.
Jim
Jim
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 3,587
Likes: 829
From: PA
Re: Cross-member deformation
John,
If the damage is relatively light and limited to a few small areas, it is possible to pull the dents and repair the damage.
Unfortunately, the damage to the crossmember is generally substantial and the best way to repair it is to seperate the spot welds and remove the lower section as Jim noted. There are aftermarket suppliers that manufacture/offer this repair section as damage in this area is all too common. I'd give Caledonia Classic Cars or Corvette Parts of Michigan (I believe that's the company name) and see what they have available... Both companies deal extensively in restoration parts for Corvette frames.
Good luck with your repair!
Regards,
If the damage is relatively light and limited to a few small areas, it is possible to pull the dents and repair the damage.
Unfortunately, the damage to the crossmember is generally substantial and the best way to repair it is to seperate the spot welds and remove the lower section as Jim noted. There are aftermarket suppliers that manufacture/offer this repair section as damage in this area is all too common. I'd give Caledonia Classic Cars or Corvette Parts of Michigan (I believe that's the company name) and see what they have available... Both companies deal extensively in restoration parts for Corvette frames.
Good luck with your repair!
Regards,
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 2
From: Beaverton, OR
Re: Cross-member deformation (Red69)
I've got the same problem with mine... I've decided to just live with it as not many people will be under the car looking at the cross member and it still appears to be strong, just looks like hell...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 306
Likes: 1
From: N. Charleston SC
Re: Cross-member deformation (dath)
Jim,
Did they do the repair while the body and engine was in place? Or was it during a frame off restoration? Seems like there might be a lot of stress on that area while its together... cutting on it might not be such a good idea. :nono:
Did they do the repair while the body and engine was in place? Or was it during a frame off restoration? Seems like there might be a lot of stress on that area while its together... cutting on it might not be such a good idea. :nono:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,128
Likes: 3
From: Deltona (son of Deland and DAYTONA) FL
Re: Cross-member deformation (Red69)
WOw, I'm glad you posted this. Someone mentioned in another thread that they jack their car up that way, and I was going to try it. I always wondered if it would tip to one side though...
Guess I won't try to find out now.
Guess I won't try to find out now.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,861
Likes: 2
From: New Zealand
Re: Cross-member deformation (Red69)
Yeh Thanks for posting this.....I wondered why I had dents there......I thought maybe somebody driving my car had hit too many squirrels........or motorbike helmets......or maybe it had been used to film the Dukes of Hazzard........
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 866
Likes: 1
From: Peabody,MA,USA
Re: Cross-member deformation (standup)
I have been thinking about having a steel plate welded over that area. It would make it much stronger and it is an awesome jacking point. There was a post a long time ago where the front cross member ripped in that area.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 306
Likes: 1
From: N. Charleston SC
Re: Cross-member deformation (73Ken73)
All,
Corvette Parts of Mich advertises the frame metal that is used to fabricate the lower piece of the cross member. But, upon closer inspection I realized that around the spring pockets, its wielded over by the side sections... and the lower A arm mounting brackets are also strategically placed over it. I guess for now I'll have to live with it.
I was thing of fabricating a brace that could be used to straddle the dented areas which had a hole that a bolt or threaded hook or stud could be placed through... then the dent could be pulled out by threading a nut on a pull bolt... Just a thought... I'll have to get something in place and test my idea
:skep:
[Modified by Red69, 11:51 PM 5/24/2003]
Corvette Parts of Mich advertises the frame metal that is used to fabricate the lower piece of the cross member. But, upon closer inspection I realized that around the spring pockets, its wielded over by the side sections... and the lower A arm mounting brackets are also strategically placed over it. I guess for now I'll have to live with it.
I was thing of fabricating a brace that could be used to straddle the dented areas which had a hole that a bolt or threaded hook or stud could be placed through... then the dent could be pulled out by threading a nut on a pull bolt... Just a thought... I'll have to get something in place and test my idea
:skep:
[Modified by Red69, 11:51 PM 5/24/2003]
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,359
Likes: 1,058
From: Virginia USA
Re: Cross-member deformation (Red69)
I jack my car there all the time. The one difference I think I use over Bubba is a piece of wood.:thumbs: My cross member is a little dinked up but I will live with it. After all, my car is 32 years old.
