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.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,701
Likes: 24,672
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
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.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
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