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

LeDevil · 11-25-2008, 04:38 AM

This doesn't pertain to my truck but to a friends. I was following my friend over to his house when I noticed his truck was driving sideways "crooked" When we got to his house I looked down both sides of the truck and sure enough the driver side front wheel was about a inch and a half farther out then the rear. I looked at the other side and the complete opposite the front wheel was pushed in about a inch and a half. Crawled under the truck and there was two nice sized buckles in the frame right under the cab. So my question is what would it take to straighten his frame other then a new frame? Asked my friend and he said he didn't know what happened as far as he knew it was that way when he got it.

shrtbx · 11-25-2008, 05:02 AM

my guess is you would have to take it to a body shope and, if its possible, get the truck on a rack and have it pulled to straightness. Theres alot more involved in that though but i would think that would be the only way it could be corrected.

Ds86C10 · 11-25-2008, 06:23 AM

its not a bent frame. the frame has bends in it for the cat to clear from what i've read. to me it sounds like you need to look at the suspension, have a alignment shop look at it.

**old Rusty C10** · 11-25-2008, 11:12 AM

my friend had a 78 Blazer and what had happened to him was the frame cracked by the steering box thus causing the thing to drive crooked... I dont know if its the problem with your truck or not... the body shop and allignment shop are where you need to go first if you cant visibly see a crack or a bend.. also pics will determine if those bends are normal or not

C10-Driver · 11-25-2008, 11:36 AM

Take some measurements on the frame if you can - corner to corner. I know it will be tough with a truck mounted to it but if the frame is square, the measurements should be equal.

skidder111 · 11-25-2008, 12:15 PM

If the truck is a 4x4, the front axle is wider than the rear. It's the way GM did it. Why? I don't know. It is usually 2-3" wider. I would check the center bolts on the rear spring packs first. They do break and would cause the truck to "dog-track".

84 400 · 11-25-2008, 02:26 PM

on my 4x4 willys the rear axle sticks out on the passangers rear and is in on the drivers side. My leaf springs are heavily sagged and the one is wrapped a bit. I am going to replace them and it should correct my problem or so I hope. IS it a 4x4? they had some known week spots and I have seen many broken in half.

kevinr1970 · 11-25-2008, 04:08 PM

More info; is it a 4x4 and is it lifted?
If yes and is lifted with blocks in the rear then I would start there.
On my old Suburban with 4" blocks it would start to "axlewrap" (what the guy at the 4x4 store called it?) and it would start dogwalking.
He said it gets worse with 6" blocks.

84 400 · 11-25-2008, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevinr1970

More info; is it a 4x4 and is it lifted?
If yes and is lifted with blocks in the rear then I would start there.
On my old Suburban with 4" blocks it would start to "axlewrap" (what the guy at the 4x4 store called it?) and it would start dogwalking.
He said it gets worse with 6" blocks.

6 inch blocks.. Dang. And here I was thinking 4 inch blocks where huge. My buddies and I go wheeling quite a bit and the biggest blocks any of us run is 2 inch. All other lift is spring and shackel flips. Sorry to be off topic

**Captkaos** · 11-25-2008, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skidder111

If the truck is a 4x4, the front axle is wider than the rear. It's the way GM did it. Why? I don't know.

It makes them turn/track easier?

kevinr1970 · 11-25-2008, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captkaos

It makes them turn/track easier?

I was told that it was so your rear wheels didn't fall into the same track as the front in snow, sand, mud, etc.
You still have some bite with the rear tires?

74 shortbed 406 · 11-25-2008, 07:47 PM

^^^ thats what I was told, and look at pulling trucks(4x4 ones) rear is always narrower than front. And also, a narrower rear gets better traction than a wide rear. And also if it is 2wd, I know where there is a good frame(85)

11-25-2008, 04:38 AM	#1
LeDevil A new C10 Addict! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Wa Posts: 105	Crooked frame This doesn't pertain to my truck but to a friends. I was following my friend over to his house when I noticed his truck was driving sideways "crooked" When we got to his house I looked down both sides of the truck and sure enough the driver side front wheel was about a inch and a half farther out then the rear. I looked at the other side and the complete opposite the front wheel was pushed in about a inch and a half. Crawled under the truck and there was two nice sized buckles in the frame right under the cab. So my question is what would it take to straighten his frame other then a new frame? Asked my friend and he said he didn't know what happened as far as he knew it was that way when he got it.

11-25-2008, 05:02 AM	#2
shrtbx Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: los angeles Posts: 202	Re: Crooked frame my guess is you would have to take it to a body shope and, if its possible, get the truck on a rack and have it pulled to straightness. Theres alot more involved in that though but i would think that would be the only way it could be corrected.

11-25-2008, 06:23 AM	#3
Ds86C10 2WD 4 Life Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Coon Rapids, MN Posts: 169	Re: Crooked frame its not a bent frame. the frame has bends in it for the cat to clear from what i've read. to me it sounds like you need to look at the suspension, have a alignment shop look at it. __________________ Big D 1969 c10 1960 cadillac 1978 king cobra

11-25-2008, 11:12 AM	#4
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,287	Re: Crooked frame my friend had a 78 Blazer and what had happened to him was the frame cracked by the steering box thus causing the thing to drive crooked... I dont know if its the problem with your truck or not... the body shop and allignment shop are where you need to go first if you cant visibly see a crack or a bend.. also pics will determine if those bends are normal or not __________________ 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!!

11-25-2008, 11:36 AM	#5
C10-Driver Chevy Truck Addict Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Kelowna, BC Posts: 1,176	Re: Crooked frame Take some measurements on the frame if you can - corner to corner. I know it will be tough with a truck mounted to it but if the frame is square, the measurements should be equal. __________________ . 1970 Chev C/10 SWB, 355 SBC, 700R4, 3.73 Posi, Air Ride (Click to view Build Thread) (SOLD) 1978 Chevy C/10 SWB 1970 Pontiac Lemans .

11-25-2008, 12:15 PM	#6
skidder111 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pincher Creek, Alberta, Canada Posts: 140	Re: Crooked frame If the truck is a 4x4, the front axle is wider than the rear. It's the way GM did it. Why? I don't know. It is usually 2-3" wider. I would check the center bolts on the rear spring packs first. They do break and would cause the truck to "dog-track".

11-25-2008, 02:26 PM	#7
84 400 Sb 400 club Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NH / MA Posts: 2,741	Re: Crooked frame on my 4x4 willys the rear axle sticks out on the passangers rear and is in on the drivers side. My leaf springs are heavily sagged and the one is wrapped a bit. I am going to replace them and it should correct my problem or so I hope. IS it a 4x4? they had some known week spots and I have seen many broken in half. __________________ 1984 chevy c10, built 400sb,.(SOLD) 77 K10 Project / daily driver "The Grinch" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=318363 1956 Willys Wagon (327 chevy) Project (Now Buick 225) 1980 Corvette L-48 4 speed 1992 Mustang GT built 5.0 5 speed 1985 C10 LWB Sold 1982 K10 SWB plow truck Parted out 1986 D30 M1028 fire brush truck Parted out

11-25-2008, 04:08 PM	#8
kevinr1970 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 2,316	Re: Crooked frame More info; is it a 4x4 and is it lifted? If yes and is lifted with blocks in the rear then I would start there. On my old Suburban with 4" blocks it would start to "axlewrap" (what the guy at the 4x4 store called it?) and it would start dogwalking. He said it gets worse with 6" blocks. __________________ 2009 Honda Fit CfC (bsf 44.9 mpg) 2000 Tahoe Limited 1991 GMC CrewCab Dually 2wd, will end up swb, not dually and replace CCswb below 1991 GMC CrewCab Dually 4x4, just going to fix things up for now 1982/1989 K5/GMC Jimmy 2wd 1987 GMC 1/2 ton swb 2wd Crew (sold)

11-25-2008, 07:47 PM	#12
74 shortbed 406 Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Bowling Green, Mo Posts: 204	Re: Crooked frame ^^^ thats what I was told, and look at pulling trucks(4x4 ones) rear is always narrower than front. And also, a narrower rear gets better traction than a wide rear. And also if it is 2wd, I know where there is a good frame(85) __________________ 1978 GMC K25 2002 Dodge Dakota R/T rc swb In need of some more goodies. Last edited by 74 shortbed 406; 11-25-2008 at 07:48 PM.



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