Torn/Cracked frames?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: NC,USA
Torn/Cracked frames?
Hey guys...
I'm cleaning up and painting the frame on the 75! The problem is that when the car was wrecked at some point in the past, the accident ripped the passanger side rear lower control arm mount off the frame. It has been repaired, but looks like someone just blobbed it back together... its built up a good 3/16 of an inch.
I'm thinking this is the reason that one side has 2 shims on the uppers and the other has 8 or 9...
But, there is also a crack on the engine suspension crossmember, on the drivers side right below the bottom weld that attaches it to the frame rail. This one is about 3/4's of an inch long, and looks like a stress crack... but its not a weld :confused:
I'm wondering what kind of welder i could use to repair this... I love tools anyways and if some of its not to hard I'd like to weld up some seams on the frame rails too!
Thanks guys for the input... are these common problems? :cheers:
I'm cleaning up and painting the frame on the 75! The problem is that when the car was wrecked at some point in the past, the accident ripped the passanger side rear lower control arm mount off the frame. It has been repaired, but looks like someone just blobbed it back together... its built up a good 3/16 of an inch.
I'm thinking this is the reason that one side has 2 shims on the uppers and the other has 8 or 9...
But, there is also a crack on the engine suspension crossmember, on the drivers side right below the bottom weld that attaches it to the frame rail. This one is about 3/4's of an inch long, and looks like a stress crack... but its not a weld :confused:
I'm wondering what kind of welder i could use to repair this... I love tools anyways and if some of its not to hard I'd like to weld up some seams on the frame rails too!
Thanks guys for the input... are these common problems? :cheers:
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,361
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From: Plano TX
Re: Torn/Cracked frames? (ZD75blue)
A MIG can do it. 220V MIG is preferred but even a 135A 110V model will do a good job. You can even stick weld it although it won't look as nice. I'd recommend taking it to a frame shop, though, to check all the dimensions. With so many shims needed on only one side they either welded the control arm mounts back in the wrong place or the entire frame extension on that side is crooked. Many of these problems can be fixed by a good shop. They use hydraulic rams to pop it back into spec.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,416
Likes: 1
From: NC,USA
Re: Torn/Cracked frames? (zwede)
A MIG can do it. 220V MIG is preferred but even a 135A 110V model will do a good job. You can even stick weld it although it won't look as nice. I'd recommend taking it to a frame shop, though, to check all the dimensions. With so many shims needed on only one side they either welded the control arm mounts back in the wrong place or the entire frame extension on that side is crooked. Many of these problems can be fixed by a good shop. They use hydraulic rams to pop it back into spec.
I dont have 220 in the garage yet, but When I do... what brand mig yall recomend? I can only dream of a tig though... If I bought one I dont know how long I could wait to setup an aluminum tube frame! :lol:
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Re: Torn/Cracked frames? (zwede)
Yes even a 115V 20A mig welder will do it you would be suprised how thin the frame metal actually is :D
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,416
Likes: 1
From: NC,USA
Re: Torn/Cracked frames? (MotorHead)
Yes even a 115V 20A mig welder will do it you would be suprised how thin the frame metal actually is :D
