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

rustyold72 · 01-08-2005, 02:04 AM

So I was taking the front end off the frame, and where the shock bolts to the frame (drivers side), there is a crack (2 inch long)

I know it's possible to weld up a crack, but would it be safe, or am I risking the frame breaking?
Should I get rid of it or have it welded?
Just when I thought the frame wasn't in as bad shape as I had thought............................... this pops up

Just realized that if I have to dump the frame, the only pieces left of the original truck will be the front suspension, one door, and a fender

stllookn · 01-08-2005, 04:07 AM

Weld it and forget about it...no problem. The frames on these trucks are really low alloy steel and you can weld them all day long with no problems. If you cannot do it yourself I am sure one of the board members can help you out. Post a picture of the crack but I am sure you can probably drive to wherever you need to get it welded.

Super Duck · 01-08-2005, 04:23 AM

if I were home i would take care of it in a minute but I am half way around the world. Go to a welding shopand have them weld and plate the frame. should be good.

Longhorn Man · 01-08-2005, 07:51 AM

What part of the frame is it...any idea why it is cracked?

Tx Firefighter · 01-08-2005, 09:11 AM

If you don't have a welder, just take the shock and upper stud off and drive to someone who does have a welder.

MIG it up and move on to something else. I'm a Dodge guy, we have to get comfortable welding up cracked frames, seriously.

Blue Beard · 01-08-2005, 11:09 AM

As long as full penetration is achieved on the weld, maybe backed up with a plate...shouldn't be any problems.

If it's due to an accident, I would surely go over the whole frame with a fine tooth comb.

ChevLoRay · 01-08-2005, 12:18 PM

If you can get to it, you should drill a small hole in the frame at the end of the crack. This will stop it from going any further, as long as you get it at the end of the crack.

The other suggestions are valid, too.

rustyold72 · 01-08-2005, 01:39 PM

Will my Lincoln weld pack 100 be enough to handle this, or will I need a welder with more oomf ?

MOTHERTRUCKERS · 01-08-2005, 06:01 PM

We drill it at the end of the crack, die grind the outside crack and weld in a washer on the inside of the frame then weld and grind the outside. your Lincoln will do it fine.

72dually · 01-09-2005, 01:43 PM

Might wanna check the frame around the steering box as well, pretty common to see a crack in the 73-87 frames, I dont know if it apply's to the early trucks

86SILVERADO · 01-09-2005, 02:13 PM

I have a Lincoln 135 and I need to heat the frame in order to get enough penetration to fix that problem. It is common and nothing to worry about but the shock mount bolt does put alot of stress on that area and if you do not get it right it will fracture again on you in short order. You need to drill the end of the crack out as mentioned and a backing washer is a good idea but not necessary. If you have never done it before you WILL have difficulty especially with only a 100. I suggest taking it to a shop.

01-08-2005, 02:04 AM	#1
rustyold72 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Ark City KS Posts: 505	Crack in frame So I was taking the front end off the frame, and where the shock bolts to the frame (drivers side), there is a crack (2 inch long) I know it's possible to weld up a crack, but would it be safe, or am I risking the frame breaking? Should I get rid of it or have it welded? Just when I thought the frame wasn't in as bad shape as I had thought............................... this pops up Just realized that if I have to dump the frame, the only pieces left of the original truck will be the front suspension, one door, and a fender __________________ 71 Chevy C10 "The Rust Bucket" 72 Chevy C10 apart in the garage 02 WS6 T/A Fast Black and bad@$$ 93 Nissan Pathfinder "Emily" Totaled RIP girl 05 Jeep Grand Cherokee-HEMI powered 87 Iroc Z28 305 TPI auto (crying out for an LS1 swap)

01-08-2005, 04:07 AM	#2
stllookn Saving 1 truck at a time! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 6,465	Weld it and forget about it...no problem. The frames on these trucks are really low alloy steel and you can weld them all day long with no problems. If you cannot do it yourself I am sure one of the board members can help you out. Post a picture of the crack but I am sure you can probably drive to wherever you need to get it welded. __________________ '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary)

01-08-2005, 04:23 AM	#3
Super Duck Chevy Nuttttt Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Santa Maria Ca. Posts: 568	if I were home i would take care of it in a minute but I am half way around the world. Go to a welding shopand have them weld and plate the frame. should be good. __________________ 67' Chev swb step side 69' SS elky 03' Chev ext cab 4X4 hey who lernt me to spell is there anything else?

01-08-2005, 09:11 AM	#5
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	If you don't have a welder, just take the shock and upper stud off and drive to someone who does have a welder. MIG it up and move on to something else. I'm a Dodge guy, we have to get comfortable welding up cracked frames, seriously. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

01-08-2005, 11:09 AM	#6
Blue Beard Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 8,831	As long as full penetration is achieved on the weld, maybe backed up with a plate...shouldn't be any problems. If it's due to an accident, I would surely go over the whole frame with a fine tooth comb. __________________ 1970 Chev CST 2003 Harley Fatboy 1975 Chevrolet Step Van 1956 Chev Bel Air 1977 Blazer 2WD For Sale $3000.00 1978 Blazer 2WD For Sale $7000.00 1978 Silverado 2005 Monte Carlo

01-08-2005, 07:51 AM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	What part of the frame is it...any idea why it is cracked?

01-08-2005, 12:18 PM	#7
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	If you can get to it, you should drill a small hole in the frame at the end of the crack. This will stop it from going any further, as long as you get it at the end of the crack. The other suggestions are valid, too. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

01-08-2005, 01:39 PM	#8
rustyold72 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Ark City KS Posts: 505	Will my Lincoln weld pack 100 be enough to handle this, or will I need a welder with more oomf ? __________________ 71 Chevy C10 "The Rust Bucket" 72 Chevy C10 apart in the garage 02 WS6 T/A Fast Black and bad@$$ 93 Nissan Pathfinder "Emily" Totaled RIP girl 05 Jeep Grand Cherokee-HEMI powered 87 Iroc Z28 305 TPI auto (crying out for an LS1 swap)

01-08-2005, 06:01 PM	#9
MOTHERTRUCKERS Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: BRADENTON FLA Posts: 3,269	We drill it at the end of the crack, die grind the outside crack and weld in a washer on the inside of the frame then weld and grind the outside. your Lincoln will do it fine. __________________ Rest in Peace Ed. Thanks for all the good times.

01-09-2005, 01:43 PM	#10
72dually Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Northern Arizona Posts: 687	Might wanna check the frame around the steering box as well, pretty common to see a crack in the 73-87 frames, I dont know if it apply's to the early trucks

01-09-2005, 02:13 PM	#11
86SILVERADO Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Hills of Western Mass Posts: 626	I have a Lincoln 135 and I need to heat the frame in order to get enough penetration to fix that problem. It is common and nothing to worry about but the shock mount bolt does put alot of stress on that area and if you do not get it right it will fracture again on you in short order. You need to drill the end of the crack out as mentioned and a backing washer is a good idea but not necessary. If you have never done it before you WILL have difficulty especially with only a 100. I suggest taking it to a shop. __________________ 86 Silverado C10 back to 305 power! 67 C30 Dually Dump, with 350 transplant, Rockhauler 05 Duramax 3500 "If at first you don't succeed, try a bigger hammer" Member of the 1-Ton club!



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