cracked frame - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

shrtbx · 12-15-2008, 04:02 PM

I just noticed the other day that frame is starting to crack next to the steering wheel box. Its not too bad now but i need to fix it pronto. Im headed out on a trip in a few days. Does anyone sell some sort of kit for this since its a common occurance, or do i just need to get it welded up.

tvblazer78 · 12-15-2008, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shrtbx

I just noticed the other day that frame is starting to crack next to the steering wheel box. Its not too bad now but i need to fix it pronto. Im headed out on a trip in a few days. Does anyone sell some sort of kit for this since its a common occurance, or do i just need to get it welded up.

This is very common and yes they do have a kit to fix this. But I do not have any info about. Some one will post something for you very soon...

tractor1963 · 12-15-2008, 04:34 PM

M.O.R.E. offroad a frame repair kit,so does Offroad design,is the truck 2wd or 4wd?

shrtbx · 12-15-2008, 05:01 PM

Its a 2 wheel drive.

454HO · 12-15-2008, 05:55 PM

Autofab has a gusset kit for 2WD - http://www.autofab.com/sbgk%20100.htm

My '77 had cracks in the frame. I welded them up myself and then made a brace to triangulate the frame and front crossmember. It wasn't quite as nice as the one in the link above. And I ended up scrapping the truck so I don't know if it would have held up or not.

Prerunner1982 · 12-15-2008, 07:48 PM

I also had this problem and my steering box ripped a hole in my frame about the size of a half dollar. I was able to make something work, and it did for a couple of years.. Eventually though the frame also cracked at where it meets the suspension crossmember.. so the truck was retired.

Off Road Design is a good company with good products, but I dont know if the fix for the 4wd will work on a 2wd frame.

If you have a welder and access to metal you could try making your own. I would put a plate to distribute the stress over a wider area and put a brace to triagulate with another crossmember.

asphaltburner · 12-16-2008, 01:30 AM

Yo! OMG!
This is a COMMON problem!!? Geeze, with what Chevy trucks, or is it ALL Chevy trucks?
Mine's a '78 3/4 ton 4x4, FRANKENTRUCK. My frame is perfect, and I'd rather prevent than repair,...what parts of the frame? Todd.

*project 67 sub* · 12-16-2008, 03:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asphaltburner

Yo! OMG!
This is a COMMON problem!!? Geeze, with what Chevy trucks, or is it ALL Chevy trucks?
Mine's a '78 3/4 ton 4x4, FRANKENTRUCK. My frame is perfect, and I'd rather prevent than repair,...what parts of the frame? Todd.

where the steering gear box bolts up to on the frame

69face · 12-16-2008, 04:17 AM

ive had two 2wd trucks with the same problem. the first one i just welded and gussetted and the second one i welded, an then put a matching 1/4 inch plate behind the gearbox. i drilled holes throught the second plate and got 1/4 inch longer grade 8 bolt and i havent had a problem for about a year now. i the truck wasnt so low i would take pictures

Ds86C10 · 12-16-2008, 05:32 AM

mine has a wicked crack in the frame by the steering box.. to fix it im boxing the frame up front.

lvschevytrucks · 12-16-2008, 11:44 AM

not to steal this thread but mine is cracking by the rear leaf spring, Its a 4x4 do they make a kit for it

shrtbx · 12-16-2008, 06:37 PM

69face...do you own a shop out here in los angeles?

69face · 12-18-2008, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shrtbx

69face...do you own a shop out here in los angeles?

no i dont own a shop but i have a pretty long driveway, a garage with 220v(for my compressor and welders)

, and most tools

shrtbx · 12-18-2008, 08:23 PM

Well i just got back from getting the frame issue fixed. Thanks 454HO for suggesting AUTOFAB. Its not often that i come across establishments that i can truly vouch for when it comes to integrity, quality and all around just good business sense.
John, owner of AUTOFAB has got to be one of the nicest/honest and sincere guys i have ever met. His team reworked my frame in the area around the powersteering box, patched it, welded it, and painted it all up. When i left the shop it was like driving an totally different truck. The crack in the frame was worse than i thought. It had severe cracks in not one but two areas. I was told that just from looking at it the are area of the frame with the two cracks would have given way in 2-3 days. Scary when i think about all the freeway driving and pot holes i go over here in los angeles. I will be headed back out to AUTOFAB for some more work on few other projects i have on other cars. The establishment is a true mom and pop operation that is A++++++ and truly an asset to truck enthusiast.

I also learned while talking to john that he is the original designer/fabricator of the brace for our trucks. He started making them back in the early 80s for chevys engineering flaw. Come to find out that a few companies actually buy the braces from him and sell them under their own names. He also gave me the scoop on a few big name aftermarket companies that have actually used his original design without permission and others that have similar copy cat designs.

All and all guys...From my my now personal experience with this whole frame thing i want to just stress that these are a must for our trucks. I saw the damage on mine and all i could say was wow. The braces are simple to bolt on and were made primarily to prevent the flexing and cracking of the frame. I unfortunately was unlucky but for you guys that havent had a crack yet....install one. Its not a matter of if its gonn happen its a matter of when. If you dont get one then atleast check that area everyonce in a while to make sure everything is kosher.

Sorry if i sound like and infommercial but i really think its more of a safety issue. I love GM..but they kinda dropped the ball on this one.

If you guys are curious about what the damage looks like, check out his website in a few days. Evidently mine was pretty bad, and it was one of the few 2WD trucks that he has seen with the problem. The photos are alot worse than it looks too.

454HO · 12-18-2008, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shrtbx

Well i just got back from getting the frame issue fixed. Thanks 454HO for suggesting AUTOFAB.

Cool. Glad it worked out for you. My '86 frame is solid... I think. But I have one of these on my list of things to buy. I'm sure the weight of the 454 combined with the 265 wide tires will eventually take it's toll.

killthewabbit · 12-17-2008, 12:51 AM

Got my repair kit and brace kit from offroaddesign.com about 5 months ago. Here's a link to the vid of what was happening with mine...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSEnHBrqMvo

Mine's solid as a rock now.

SkylineNXS · 12-17-2008, 08:03 AM

Thats insane....

BRAD

**old Rusty C10** · 12-17-2008, 11:11 AM

my buddy had this happen and he made a couple of pieces of steel himself and welded it on and it worked fine for the remaining five years he had the truck after that

bowtiecb · 12-17-2008, 07:48 PM

i had that happen when i had my 80, and had to chain the box to the frame just to make it to a welder, took about ten tries to get out of the drive way. but have anybody had this prob on a 86-87 model

73chevyman · 12-17-2008, 08:36 PM

friend of mine just welded up the steering box and frame completely broke. welded it back no problems or flexing like you see in that video

killthewabbit · 12-18-2008, 10:44 PM

I couldn't agree more with shrtbx on installing one of these as preventative maintenance. That video of mine was before I got my triangulating brace and steering box weld in reinforcement done. Now I don't have any more flex in my frame.

Mine was just starting to get little bitty stress cracks around the steering box holes, bit it just felt sloppy to me to drive it. Now it's just fine again.

12-15-2008, 04:02 PM	#1
shrtbx Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: los angeles Posts: 202	cracked frame I just noticed the other day that frame is starting to crack next to the steering wheel box. Its not too bad now but i need to fix it pronto. Im headed out on a trip in a few days. Does anyone sell some sort of kit for this since its a common occurance, or do i just need to get it welded up. Last edited by shrtbx; 12-15-2008 at 04:03 PM.

12-15-2008, 04:34 PM	#3
tractor1963 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Lenoir,NC Posts: 159	Re: cracked frame M.O.R.E. offroad a frame repair kit,so does Offroad design,is the truck 2wd or 4wd?

12-15-2008, 05:01 PM	#4
shrtbx Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: los angeles Posts: 202	Re: cracked frame Its a 2 wheel drive.

12-15-2008, 05:55 PM	#5
454HO Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,224	Re: cracked frame Autofab has a gusset kit for 2WD - http://www.autofab.com/sbgk%20100.htm My '77 had cracks in the frame. I welded them up myself and then made a brace to triangulate the frame and front crossmember. It wasn't quite as nice as the one in the link above. And I ended up scrapping the truck so I don't know if it would have held up or not. __________________ - Greg

12-15-2008, 07:48 PM	#6
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,906	Re: cracked frame I also had this problem and my steering box ripped a hole in my frame about the size of a half dollar. I was able to make something work, and it did for a couple of years.. Eventually though the frame also cracked at where it meets the suspension crossmember.. so the truck was retired. Off Road Design is a good company with good products, but I dont know if the fix for the 4wd will work on a 2wd frame. If you have a welder and access to metal you could try making your own. I would put a plate to distribute the stress over a wider area and put a brace to triagulate with another crossmember. __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call

12-16-2008, 01:30 AM	#7
asphaltburner Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ault, Colorado Posts: 862	Re: cracked frame Yo! OMG! This is a COMMON problem!!? Geeze, with what Chevy trucks, or is it ALL Chevy trucks? Mine's a '78 3/4 ton 4x4, FRANKENTRUCK. My frame is perfect, and I'd rather prevent than repair,...what parts of the frame? Todd. __________________ '78 3/4 ton 4x4 custom "Todd-built" FRANKENTRUCK!

12-16-2008, 04:17 AM	#9
69face Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: northridge Posts: 534	Re: cracked frame ive had two 2wd trucks with the same problem. the first one i just welded and gussetted and the second one i welded, an then put a matching 1/4 inch plate behind the gearbox. i drilled holes throught the second plate and got 1/4 inch longer grade 8 bolt and i havent had a problem for about a year now. i the truck wasnt so low i would take pictures __________________ ""A bagged vehicle is only as good as it's wheel/tire combo!" -getlowness! my build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=223747:metal: I'M SO SO CAL!

12-16-2008, 05:32 AM	#10
Ds86C10 2WD 4 Life Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Coon Rapids, MN Posts: 169	Re: cracked frame mine has a wicked crack in the frame by the steering box.. to fix it im boxing the frame up front. __________________ Big D 1969 c10 1960 cadillac 1978 king cobra

12-16-2008, 11:44 AM	#11
lvschevytrucks Unfinished Project Club Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Florence S.C. Posts: 596	Re: cracked frame not to steal this thread but mine is cracking by the rear leaf spring, Its a 4x4 do they make a kit for it

12-16-2008, 06:37 PM	#12
shrtbx Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: los angeles Posts: 202	Re: cracked frame 69face...do you own a shop out here in los angeles?

12-18-2008, 08:23 PM	#14
shrtbx Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: los angeles Posts: 202	Re: cracked frame Well i just got back from getting the frame issue fixed. Thanks 454HO for suggesting AUTOFAB. Its not often that i come across establishments that i can truly vouch for when it comes to integrity, quality and all around just good business sense. John, owner of AUTOFAB has got to be one of the nicest/honest and sincere guys i have ever met. His team reworked my frame in the area around the powersteering box, patched it, welded it, and painted it all up. When i left the shop it was like driving an totally different truck. The crack in the frame was worse than i thought. It had severe cracks in not one but two areas. I was told that just from looking at it the are area of the frame with the two cracks would have given way in 2-3 days. Scary when i think about all the freeway driving and pot holes i go over here in los angeles. I will be headed back out to AUTOFAB for some more work on few other projects i have on other cars. The establishment is a true mom and pop operation that is A++++++ and truly an asset to truck enthusiast. I also learned while talking to john that he is the original designer/fabricator of the brace for our trucks. He started making them back in the early 80s for chevys engineering flaw. Come to find out that a few companies actually buy the braces from him and sell them under their own names. He also gave me the scoop on a few big name aftermarket companies that have actually used his original design without permission and others that have similar copy cat designs. All and all guys...From my my now personal experience with this whole frame thing i want to just stress that these are a must for our trucks. I saw the damage on mine and all i could say was wow. The braces are simple to bolt on and were made primarily to prevent the flexing and cracking of the frame. I unfortunately was unlucky but for you guys that havent had a crack yet....install one. Its not a matter of if its gonn happen its a matter of when. If you dont get one then atleast check that area everyonce in a while to make sure everything is kosher. Sorry if i sound like and infommercial but i really think its more of a safety issue. I love GM..but they kinda dropped the ball on this one. If you guys are curious about what the damage looks like, check out his website in a few days. Evidently mine was pretty bad, and it was one of the few 2WD trucks that he has seen with the problem. The photos are alot worse than it looks too. Last edited by shrtbx; 12-18-2008 at 08:27 PM.

12-17-2008, 08:03 AM	#17
SkylineNXS Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Elgin, IL Posts: 658	Re: cracked frame Thats insane.... BRAD __________________ 2000 GMC Sierra EXT Cab Short 4x4, finally mine... 1966 C10 SWB Fleet, 250 I6, three on the tree.... Previously Owned.... 1987 Chevy R10 "Silverado" (at least the badges were) Short Step 350 700r4.... 1972 Chevy LWB Fleet 350/350 EXTENDED CAB ALL THE WAY! .._..~...-...._...____ .._..-...______\|_\|__\____ ..-..~.\|_(O)__\|_\|__\|_(O)]

12-17-2008, 11:11 AM	#18
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,297	Re: cracked frame my buddy had this happen and he made a couple of pieces of steel himself and welded it on and it worked fine for the remaining five years he had the truck after that __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

12-17-2008, 07:48 PM	#19
bowtiecb Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: alabama Posts: 79	Re: cracked frame i had that happen when i had my 80, and had to chain the box to the frame just to make it to a welder, took about ten tries to get out of the drive way. but have anybody had this prob on a 86-87 model

12-17-2008, 08:36 PM	#20
73chevyman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Lusby, MD Posts: 563	Re: cracked frame friend of mine just welded up the steering box and frame completely broke. welded it back no problems or flexing like you see in that video __________________ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/group.php?groupid=37 73 C10 Fleetside If it ain't a Chevy it's foreign http://hotridesmag.com/



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12-18-2008, 10:44 PM	#21
killthewabbit Spear and magic helmet! Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 1,226	Re: cracked frame I couldn't agree more with shrtbx on installing one of these as preventative maintenance. That video of mine was before I got my triangulating brace and steering box weld in reinforcement done. Now I don't have any more flex in my frame. Mine was just starting to get little bitty stress cracks around the steering box holes, bit it just felt sloppy to me to drive it. Now it's just fine again. __________________ -- Will

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