Wobbly bed sides - How to fix ???? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

kxmotox247 · 04-25-2003, 10:55 AM

I'm not sure I spelled wobbly right but the problem is that my bed sides lean inwards at the top.
What's wrong? How do I fix it?
I've been told that this is a result of running a truck without a tailgate. I guess this causes a lot of flexing. Where the bedsides join the floor in the rear, there is a crack in the seam. It looks like someone had glued the seam.
Any ideas?

**nightmare** · 04-25-2003, 11:18 AM

it is actually supposed to be welded on the bottom where the bedsides join the floor. this keeps it from flapping in the breeze

kxmotox247 · 04-25-2003, 11:27 AM

Maybe I'll grind out all of the caulk/crap in those corners. Then reweld it?

griesel72 · 04-25-2003, 02:07 PM

Yep, there is supposed to be a factory weld right in the rear corner, but sometimes they do look like caulk

kxmotox247 · 04-25-2003, 03:52 PM

Thanks for the info.

Southpa · 04-25-2003, 04:10 PM

It could be more than just the welds (one horizontal and one vertical). If you feel around under the real corners there should be three bolts holding the post to the rear crossmember. They could be loose or missing. Here is a pic of the crossmember end showing how the bedside is attached.

neonlarry · 04-25-2003, 04:24 PM

If I were you I would not re weld it, becasue it is a major pita if you ever want to take it apart again. Check the bolts, and that should help a lot

*Randy70C-10* · 04-25-2003, 05:35 PM

Naaa, weld the hell out of it!

It will stiffen it up and keep it from squeeking and rattling.

**nightmare** · 04-25-2003, 06:28 PM

i forgot about the bolts, but i agree with randy. besides, that is the way it is supposed to be. do you plan on taking it apart anytime soon?

Southpa · 04-26-2003, 09:04 AM

Oh well, when I put mine back together I didn't bother welding it. Still solid as a rock after 3 yrs. But there could be a chance that your bolts holes are all rotted out so the only alternative is welding.

kxmotox247 · 04-28-2003, 09:15 AM

I'll have to get under there and take a look. I'll check the bolts first. I have a feeling that the area is rotted out. I hate to weld it up and not be able to take it apart but I bet that's the only way I'm going to be able to fix it.
Thanks for the info and the customized picture!

04-25-2003, 10:55 AM	#1
kxmotox247 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 1,397	Wobbly bed sides - How to fix ???? I'm not sure I spelled wobbly right but the problem is that my bed sides lean inwards at the top. What's wrong? How do I fix it? I've been told that this is a result of running a truck without a tailgate. I guess this causes a lot of flexing. Where the bedsides join the floor in the rear, there is a crack in the seam. It looks like someone had glued the seam. Any ideas? __________________ Baby Blue's Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=652776 Project 68's Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...17#post8442117 www.stonecolumnclassics.com Email: Josh@stonecolumnclassics.com

04-25-2003, 11:27 AM	#3
kxmotox247 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 1,397	Maybe I'll grind out all of the caulk/crap in those corners. Then reweld it? __________________ Baby Blue's Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=652776 Project 68's Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...17#post8442117 www.stonecolumnclassics.com Email: Josh@stonecolumnclassics.com

04-25-2003, 02:07 PM	#4
griesel72 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Howard, Kansas USA Posts: 1,997	Yep, there is supposed to be a factory weld right in the rear corner, but sometimes they do look like caulk __________________ 1969 K10 Custom 10 1997 Z71 2006 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 2006 King Ranch 1980 Wife

04-25-2003, 03:52 PM	#5
kxmotox247 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 1,397	Thanks for the info. __________________ Baby Blue's Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=652776 Project 68's Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...17#post8442117 www.stonecolumnclassics.com Email: Josh@stonecolumnclassics.com

04-25-2003, 04:10 PM	#6
Southpa Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Victoria, BC, Canada Posts: 2,409	It could be more than just the welds (one horizontal and one vertical). If you feel around under the real corners there should be three bolts holding the post to the rear crossmember. They could be loose or missing. Here is a pic of the crossmember end showing how the bedside is attached. Attached Images __________________ 1970 GMC 1500 Custom Original 350/TH350 Victoria, BC, Canada You can wish in one hand and crap in the other. See which one gets filled first. Last edited by Southpa; 04-25-2003 at 04:13 PM.

04-25-2003, 04:24 PM	#7
neonlarry Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 2,745	If I were you I would not re weld it, becasue it is a major pita if you ever want to take it apart again. Check the bolts, and that should help a lot __________________ 70 C/10 Light Red 350/TH350, HEI, Duals w/40 series Flows, 91 seat, LED taillights 99 Pontiac S/C GTP, SLP Ram Air hood, GMPP Konis & springs 95 Neon ACR, MP PCM, AFX UDP, 3.0 CAI

04-25-2003, 05:35 PM	#8
Randy70C-10 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Virginia Beach, Va. U.S.A. Posts: 15,320	Naaa, weld the hell out of it! It will stiffen it up and keep it from squeeking and rattling.

04-26-2003, 09:04 AM	#10
Southpa Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Victoria, BC, Canada Posts: 2,409	Oh well, when I put mine back together I didn't bother welding it. Still solid as a rock after 3 yrs. But there could be a chance that your bolts holes are all rotted out so the only alternative is welding. __________________ 1970 GMC 1500 Custom Original 350/TH350 Victoria, BC, Canada You can wish in one hand and crap in the other. See which one gets filled first.

04-28-2003, 09:15 AM	#11
kxmotox247 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 1,397	I'll have to get under there and take a look. I'll check the bolts first. I have a feeling that the area is rotted out. I hate to weld it up and not be able to take it apart but I bet that's the only way I'm going to be able to fix it. Thanks for the info and the customized picture! __________________ Baby Blue's Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=652776 Project 68's Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...17#post8442117 www.stonecolumnclassics.com Email: Josh@stonecolumnclassics.com

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