Broken Front, Frame to Shock Stud Mount

[whiskey_marc]

Hey guys, long time reader on the site.

Never had to post anything, because most questions have been answered on this site already! I own a '72 C10, just putting things together on the frame at the moment.

I do have an issue with where the front shock mounts to the frame.. as in, on both sides - the area has cracked out! Was wondering if anyone has welded a patch in this area, or just closed the hole up and did something else.. In the pictures below you'll see 3 photos and the fourth is what I've found on the site that looks like a pretty good solution to my problem?

Just looking for some opinions.

[chiefcfd]

I would weld it back and add a plate behind it. I think I have seen that support piece in pic 4 somewhere also.

[mgkgmc]

Make sure you have the correct length shocks too. Its possible that they are not the right length that could be why both sides failed.

[2 Far Gone]

Weld a thick washer or small piece of plate over the hole from the inside and weld the outside back in. Maybe add on the outside plate from the frame to take some of the stress off the inside hole. Grind it and nobody will ever know after you splash some paint on it.

[2 Far Gone]

Something like this to help support the shock:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/73-87-chevy-...-/271413495184

[whiskey_marc]

Originally Posted by chiefcfd

I would weld it back and add a plate behind it. I think I have seen that support piece in pic 4 somewhere also.

Originally Posted by 2 Far Gone

Weld a thick washer or small piece of plate over the hole from the inside and weld the outside back in. Maybe add on the outside plate from the frame to take some of the stress off the inside hole. Grind it and nobody will ever know after you splash some paint on it.

Awesome, thanks everyone for the reply's. I'll try fish-plating one side and see how she goes!

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by 2 far gone

something like this to help support the shock:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/73-87-chevy-...-/271413495184

x2.

[burnin oil]

When I was in high school I got ran off the road and tore the shock mount right out of the frame. Easily fixed and lasted for years. For a repair make sure to drill out the end of any cracks so they dont spread. Then weld your part back in. Make sure the weld is a good penetrating weld but do not super heat the area. You want it solid but not getting it so hot that the metal structure is changed. Same principle as blued brake rotors. We put a wet towel on the back side of the frame to help pull the heat out as it was welded. When the truck was finally send to the bone yard the frame was twisted to the point the instrument panel wouldn't come out of the dash. The shock was still welded to the frame!

[swamp rat]

My 72 K20 does have the outer bracket to support the shock. But i would like to find some relocater's like in Pic 4.

[67ctener]

I had the relocator kind and didn't like them. They seem to twist the shock alignment out so it was a pain to mount. I added these 4x4 style shock brackets on mine just to avoid the extra stress it puts on the stud. Hope it helps

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by 67ctener

I had the relocator kind and didn't like them. The seem to twist the shock alignment out so it was a pain to mount. I added these 4x4 style shock brackets on mine just to avoid the extra stress it puts on the stud. Hope it helps

I didn't know the outer bracket was just for K model's. Nice to know.

[whiskey_marc]

Originally Posted by 67ctener

I had the relocator kind and didn't like them. They seem to twist the shock alignment out so it was a pain to mount. I added these 4x4 style shock brackets on mine just to avoid the extra stress it puts on the stud. Hope it helps

That looks really nice! Now I have the full idea of fixing and preventing the area from breaking again.