Frame Damage - Repairable?
#1
Frame Damage - Repairable?
Gents,
Was driving down the highway and the rear tire blew. At the same time the steering went 90 degrees to the left, so I had to steer right to keep going straight. I was able to get the car to the berm safely. By then the steering was almost back to normal. Towed it to the tire shop, they put new tires on (old ones were OLD) and noticed a crack in the frame. Looks like where the lower arm support connects to the front crossmember sheared when the tire blew.
So what do you guys think? Is this a major issue or should a frame/body shop be able to repair this?
Was driving down the highway and the rear tire blew. At the same time the steering went 90 degrees to the left, so I had to steer right to keep going straight. I was able to get the car to the berm safely. By then the steering was almost back to normal. Towed it to the tire shop, they put new tires on (old ones were OLD) and noticed a crack in the frame. Looks like where the lower arm support connects to the front crossmember sheared when the tire blew.
So what do you guys think? Is this a major issue or should a frame/body shop be able to repair this?
Last edited by 1975Coupe; 07-13-2017 at 08:20 PM.
#2
Le Mans Master
Frame shop that can set the car on a frame machine, move it back into place and weld with some reinforcements. Rear Lower control arm mount.
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1975Coupe (07-13-2017)
#3
Nam Labrat
Member Since: Sep 2013
Location: New Orleans Loo-z-anna
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Old Tires Kill!
Last edited by doorgunner; 07-13-2017 at 10:04 PM.
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1975Coupe (07-14-2017)
#4
Melting Slicks
I do not see a problem that a good frame machine cannot straighten. As stated above may need some reinforcement after being put back into alignment.
Glad you were not injured.
Glad you were not injured.
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1975Coupe (07-14-2017)
#5
Safety Car
should be no problem for a good welder,
i would only take to frame shop, and have them weld it inplace in frame jig Fixture.
i would only take to frame shop, and have them weld it inplace in frame jig Fixture.
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1975Coupe (07-14-2017)
#7
Nam Labrat
Member Since: Sep 2013
Location: New Orleans Loo-z-anna
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#12
So a side effect of all of this is that the alignment is completely wonky. The tire shop veteran told me that the control arms I have are non-adjustable and they can't align it. They told me to buy Adjustable upper control arms #92470 for both sides of the front and rear shims for the back, #47170. I can find the 92470 just about everywhere but I'm having trouble finding the rear shims. Will these from Eckler's work? https://smile.amazon.com/Premier-Qua...47170+c3+shims
#13
So a side effect of all of this is that the alignment is completely wonky. https://smile.amazon.com/Premier-Qua...47170+c3+shims
#14
Melting Slicks
Just a little info. I rebuilt a wrecked 1968 that had a bent frame rail. I straightened the frame rail and I also had some wacky alignment issues. It turned out the spindle on the damaged side was also bent. I replaced it and my alignment issue was gone.
Good luck with your job.
Good luck with your job.
#15
Drifting
For starters, many vettes seem to crack or rip when comes to those brackets, poor design. If you search you will see some of the extra enforcement pcs added. That is great they repaired it for you, but charging you double for the work they did, stinks.
As far as your alignment goes, have you ever had it aligned before ? I am kinda confused on what is non adjustable, they have shims that you can change to adjust the upper control arms.
As far as your alignment goes, have you ever had it aligned before ? I am kinda confused on what is non adjustable, they have shims that you can change to adjust the upper control arms.
#16
For starters, many vettes seem to crack or rip when comes to those brackets, poor design. If you search you will see some of the extra enforcement pcs added. That is great they repaired it for you, but charging you double for the work they did, stinks.
As far as your alignment goes, have you ever had it aligned before ? I am kinda confused on what is non adjustable, they have shims that you can change to adjust the upper control arms.
As far as your alignment goes, have you ever had it aligned before ? I am kinda confused on what is non adjustable, they have shims that you can change to adjust the upper control arms.
They say the rear has no shims in it and needs shims, which due to the age of the car they don't carry, so I have to provide my own. That was the reasoning for my linking to the amazon part.
#17
Instructor
Take off a rear tire. Follow the trailing arm till it goes into a pocket in the frame. There should be a bolt that goes thru the frame thru some shims thru the trailing arm thru some shims thru the frame into a castle nut on the outside of the frame. If you did not have these shims the fron of the trailing arm would drift left and fight at will, you would not be able to drive the car as the rear would be all over the place. The bottom of the shims are held in with a very large cotter pin.
try to find a better alignment shop it does not sound like the one you are using knows C3.
try to find a better alignment shop it does not sound like the one you are using knows C3.
Last edited by 72 Project; 09-09-2017 at 02:32 PM.
#18
Le Mans Master
So a side effect of all of this is that the alignment is completely wonky. The tire shop veteran told me that the control arms I have are non-adjustable and they can't align it. They told me to buy Adjustable upper control arms #92470 for both sides of the front and rear shims for the back, #47170. I can find the 92470 just about everywhere but I'm having trouble finding the rear shims. Will these from Eckler's work? https://smile.amazon.com/Premier-Qua...47170+c3+shims
#19
Unless they got the gusset welded back in EXACTLY the same spot as it's supposed to be they are going to have a tough time aligning it correctly. My guess, repair is not 100% and there is no more adjustment left to correct alignment angles. Hence, this is why they want the arms that have more adjustability. BUT, even if the can get the alignment angles correct on that wheel with aftermarket arms your car will still FEEL funny because you will still have positive setback. I have never needed aftermarket arms or offset shafts do a proper alignment on ANY car or truck that used shims on the upper arms unless there was frame damage or bent suspension parts. Ask around, find an alignment shop that knows what they're doing and have them do an alignment check. Specifically ask to know what the Setback, SAI (Steering Axis Inclination) and Thrust angles are. You need to find someone who truly understands alignments and not someone who sees red and green on a computer screen. Good Luck.