Trailering Arm Crack....Can I weld - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**1971Stepside** · 07-31-2002, 09:38 AM

I pulled my axle out over the weekend and discovered my trailering arms in great shape rust wise, but the passenger side arm has a crack that runs across the top (where axle sits) of the first hole for the u-bolt and down one side of the hole. Can I have this welded up and be fine? Or should I bite the bullet and get another one? They seem to be pretty expensive and I don't know if I can find anyone willing to sell just one. I will try to get a pic of it tonight and post tomorrow.

Keep in mind this truck will be a Sunday driver when completed.

*67Fleetsidedream* · 07-31-2002, 09:47 AM

If it was mine, I would weld the hel out of it. It is mild steel any way. Make sure it is welded with a MIG welder and not a Arc welder. You can also take it to a machine shop and see if they can fix it.
Ben

Huck · 07-31-2002, 09:50 AM

Assuming this truck is used for fun and not hauling logs or drag racing with slicks----you can have it welded and it should be fine. Just make sure you have it welded by someone who knows what they are doing. The finished product will probably be better then original. Double check that that crack doesn't extend all the way down or exit on the other side of that arm too. Would think $20-30 bucks should do it. Good luck--Huck

da-burb · 07-31-2002, 01:55 PM

You could have it welded, IF somebody is willing to do it. I wonder what liability they assume by doing it.

I would buy a pair of southern arms myself. There have been lots of them on the parts board for $40-50 a pair. Shipping would run another 30.

lost wages · 07-31-2002, 02:30 PM

let me take a look and if its not too bad we can weld it up and maybe put an extra plate in to be on the safe side, i welded some up on my 68 beater and never had a problem.

**1971Stepside** · 07-31-2002, 02:48 PM

Thanks! I think it can be welded, it is just a larger crack than I originally thought. It has to be a clean weld because I am going for show quality. I drop you an e-mail. I won't be around for the next couple of weekends....vacation time!!!

Oh, and I got the price back on powder coating the frame and all components that attach to it (like a-arms, spindles, tie rods, etc.) $450.00. I thought that was a pretty fair price. That is the place in Russelville.

Talk to you soon LostWages.

DennyB · 07-31-2002, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 1971Stepside
....It has to be a clean weld because I am going for show quality. ........

If this is the case, you should replace it.

*Gee_Emm* · 08-01-2002, 12:51 AM

I doubt that you would be able to find another one used that isnt cracked, it is a common problem. I don't see how it would make a difference if the arms are from a southern truck or not, its not really a rust issue. In the 67 they are doing on the truckin show it looks like they added a plate on the top of the arm where the diff pads sit on it, I dont think it would show once everything is back together. Well good luck on finding a used one if you go that route, I was looking for one that wasnt rusted in the middle and it took quite a while, finally found one in Texas, almost burnt Texas down getting it off too, ooops :p

BTW the left and right trailering arms will interchange with each other with exception of the emergency brake cable mount.

*Gee_Emm* · 08-01-2002, 12:53 AM

Oh yah and if you are a milloniare you could always buy repos from LMC

mikep · 08-01-2002, 12:57 AM

Ah. Good old Russelville , Arkansas.

Birthplace of my brother ... Russell

**1971Stepside** · 08-01-2002, 08:36 AM

Russilville, Missouri...not Arkansas....anyway here is a picture of the crack if you can make it out.

**1971Stepside** · 08-01-2002, 08:36 AM

looks like this

palallin · 08-01-2002, 11:57 AM

Are the arms interchangeable between swb and lwb?

Low69CST · 08-01-2002, 01:18 PM

That is a big ass crack. If you cut and notch that crack to weld into your almost cutting the arm in 2. You may want to buy a new one. LWB and SWB do interchange, have one lwb and one swb on my truck.

07-31-2002, 09:38 AM	#1
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	Trailering Arm Crack....Can I weld I pulled my axle out over the weekend and discovered my trailering arms in great shape rust wise, but the passenger side arm has a crack that runs across the top (where axle sits) of the first hole for the u-bolt and down one side of the hole. Can I have this welded up and be fine? Or should I bite the bullet and get another one? They seem to be pretty expensive and I don't know if I can find anyone willing to sell just one. I will try to get a pic of it tonight and post tomorrow. Keep in mind this truck will be a Sunday driver when completed. __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

07-31-2002, 01:55 PM	#4
da-burb "Ochre Ogre" Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Springfield, MN Posts: 3,558	You could have it welded, IF somebody is willing to do it. I wonder what liability they assume by doing it. I would buy a pair of southern arms myself. There have been lots of them on the parts board for $40-50 a pair. Shipping would run another 30. __________________ Bowtie Truck Stop Inc. Mid-West GM Truck Restoration Parts Supplier Your Key Parts, Auto Metal Direct, Dynacorn, and Goodmark dealer. like us @ www.facebook.com/BowtieTruckStop 1971 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1971 K-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 K-20 Suburban (Yellow- that just aint right!) Springfield, Minnesota 56087

07-31-2002, 02:48 PM	#6
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	Thanks! I think it can be welded, it is just a larger crack than I originally thought. It has to be a clean weld because I am going for show quality. I drop you an e-mail. I won't be around for the next couple of weekends....vacation time!!! Oh, and I got the price back on powder coating the frame and all components that attach to it (like a-arms, spindles, tie rods, etc.) $450.00. I thought that was a pretty fair price. That is the place in Russelville. Talk to you soon LostWages. __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

08-01-2002, 12:57 AM	#10
mikep Used to have a truck Join Date: May 2002 Location: port orchard WA Posts: 1,552	Ah. Good old Russelville , Arkansas. Birthplace of my brother ... Russell __________________ No truck :-(

08-01-2002, 08:36 AM	#11
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	Russilville, Missouri...not Arkansas....anyway here is a picture of the crack if you can make it out. Attached Images __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

07-31-2002, 09:47 AM	#2
67Fleetsidedream Wiseass secured himself a BAN Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: MOON!!! Posts: 2,282	If it was mine, I would weld the hel out of it. It is mild steel any way. Make sure it is welded with a MIG welder and not a Arc welder. You can also take it to a machine shop and see if they can fix it. Ben

07-31-2002, 09:50 AM	#3
Huck Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 3,269	Assuming this truck is used for fun and not hauling logs or drag racing with slicks----you can have it welded and it should be fine. Just make sure you have it welded by someone who knows what they are doing. The finished product will probably be better then original. Double check that that crack doesn't extend all the way down or exit on the other side of that arm too. Would think $20-30 bucks should do it. Good luck--Huck

07-31-2002, 02:30 PM	#5
lost wages Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: jefferson city, mo Posts: 1,364	let me take a look and if its not too bad we can weld it up and maybe put an extra plate in to be on the safe side, i welded some up on my 68 beater and never had a problem.

08-01-2002, 12:51 AM	#8
Gee_Emm Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 4,002	I doubt that you would be able to find another one used that isnt cracked, it is a common problem. I don't see how it would make a difference if the arms are from a southern truck or not, its not really a rust issue. In the 67 they are doing on the truckin show it looks like they added a plate on the top of the arm where the diff pads sit on it, I dont think it would show once everything is back together. Well good luck on finding a used one if you go that route, I was looking for one that wasnt rusted in the middle and it took quite a while, finally found one in Texas, almost burnt Texas down getting it off too, ooops :p BTW the left and right trailering arms will interchange with each other with exception of the emergency brake cable mount.

08-01-2002, 12:53 AM	#9
Gee_Emm Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 4,002	Oh yah and if you are a milloniare you could always buy repos from LMC

08-01-2002, 08:36 AM	#12
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	the top view looks like this Attached Images __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

08-01-2002, 11:57 AM	#13
palallin Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: St. James, MO Posts: 1,238	Are the arms interchangeable between swb and lwb? __________________ '69 Longstep K-10: 327/SM465/T-221/Closed Knuckle Dana44/12-bolt.

08-01-2002, 01:18 PM	#14
Low69CST Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Frankfort, Kentucky, USA Posts: 2,163	That is a big ass crack. If you cut and notch that crack to weld into your almost cutting the arm in 2. You may want to buy a new one. LWB and SWB do interchange, have one lwb and one swb on my truck. __________________ '69 CST Short fleetside Lowered, 400 small block, 700R4, 4 wheel disc brakes, front sway bar & rear camaro sway bar (in progress) '87 V10 4x4 Short Fleetside Quad Suspension and Dual Tanks

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