Defective frame welds
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 532
Likes: 0
From: Lone Oak Texas
Defective frame welds
It looks like I've been hit by the defective weld problem on my 2000 Convertible. Found a right side rear wheel upper A-arm bracket detached from the frame. Looks like the factory welds didn't have good penetration causing the failure. Thank God it didn't completely fail while driving.
Looks like the same problem reported by others:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...uspension.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...ty-recall.html
My questions for the forum:
1) Has anyone had success getting GM to pay for this repair?
2) Is there a recall or service bulletin for it?
3) What is the best Corvette frame shop/frame welder in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area?
I am the original owner so I know the problem isn't related to prior crash damage or abuse.
Looks like the same problem reported by others:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...uspension.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...ty-recall.html
My questions for the forum:
1) Has anyone had success getting GM to pay for this repair?
2) Is there a recall or service bulletin for it?
3) What is the best Corvette frame shop/frame welder in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area?
I am the original owner so I know the problem isn't related to prior crash damage or abuse.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 388
Likes: 0
From: Effingham IL
Its not as bad as it looks. Any good frame shop or race shop can do this repair. To repair the rail a small hole is drilled at the end of each crack to stress relieve then its cleaned and welded. Tower is cleaned up and welded back in place. Simple fix...... As far as GM honering a 10 year old car for workmanship it will not happen sorry. It should be a 4-6 hour job and most shops charge 80.00-100.00 per hour in this area. good luck and inspect the rest of the welds on the car.
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I too doubt GM will do much if anything, but hey, worth a shot. Otherwise, good luck getting the car repaired.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 532
Likes: 0
From: Lone Oak Texas
I wanted to report back on the outcome of this. I didn't do anything for a couple months because we were very busy with other stuff but after a lot of research I took it to Corvette Corner in Rowlett, TX. These guys did an awesome job, great communication while they had the car. I'm very pleased and happy to have the car back and handling great.
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2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
2000 conv. frame failure
My son in-law just purchased a 2000 conv. 3rd owner, clear car fax, garage kept, 29,000 mile car. The rear upper a-arm bracket that is supposed to be welded to the frame rail failed. The pictures look very similar to the pictures already posted. This seems to me to be a problem that Chevrolet does not wish to address. We are presently in the process of negotiating with a dealership.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,237
Likes: 11
From: Lacombe Louisiana
Its not as bad as it looks. Any good frame shop or race shop can do this repair. To repair the rail a small hole is drilled at the end of each crack to stress relieve then its cleaned and welded. Tower is cleaned up and welded back in place. Simple fix...... As far as GM honering a 10 year old car for workmanship it will not happen sorry. It should be a 4-6 hour job and most shops charge 80.00-100.00 per hour in this area. good luck and inspect the rest of the welds on the car.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 21
From: Oak Hill Virginia
My son in-law just purchased a 2000 conv. 3rd owner, clear car fax, garage kept, 29,000 mile car. The rear upper a-arm bracket that is supposed to be welded to the frame rail failed. The pictures look very similar to the pictures already posted. This seems to me to be a problem that Chevrolet does not wish to address. We are presently in the process of negotiating with a dealership.
Also, you should probably start your own thread next time. This one is over 45 days old so it'll probably be locked soon.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 532
Likes: 0
From: Lone Oak Texas
My son in-law just purchased a 2000 conv. 3rd owner, clear car fax, garage kept, 29,000 mile car. The rear upper a-arm bracket that is supposed to be welded to the frame rail failed. The pictures look very similar to the pictures already posted. This seems to me to be a problem that Chevrolet does not wish to address. We are presently in the process of negotiating with a dealership.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,826
Likes: 1
From: Plymouth Wisconsin
St. Jude Donor '11-'12
that kind of repair is too big for me to put up front. that is something GM should warranty. Just terrible.
Also curious what years or models should be concerned with this and how or what to look for. i.e. shaking, poor handling, etc etc
Also curious what years or models should be concerned with this and how or what to look for. i.e. shaking, poor handling, etc etc