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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: American Canyon, CA
Posts: 253
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Question about the front crossmember under core support
i just removed the stock bottom rivets on the front cross member so I can install my ECE swaybar. Once I started punching out the passenger side one and the member shifted forward. This didn't seem right to me since I am unable to line up the holes to run the bolts through.
I noticed the cross member has a good bend in it and I'm guessing it's causing some stress on the metal and causing it to move. Can I replace this part? Is it even needed? Does the PB fab bolt in do the same thing? Thanks guys ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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#2 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: May 2012
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 1,906
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Re: Question about the front crossmember under core support
Is it sitting on the ground under load. Maybe jack up by the frame and take some load off, then you can porta power a bit to get the holes lined back up.
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: American Canyon, CA
Posts: 253
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Re: Question about the front crossmember under core support
Right now the whole truck is on stands. I'm also installing an ECE drop kit. You think under its weight it will line backup?
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#4 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: New Palestine In
Posts: 931
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Re: Question about the front crossmember under core support
Take a tapered punch and drive it in the hole to line the two parts up. Then take a C clamp and clamp the two parts together, take the punch out and install the bolt lock washer and nut .remove the clamp and proceed to the other side and do the same.
Hope this helps. Phil
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Phil "Money is only a tool to create and achieve what you want most in life" PayPal: rodnrudy@comcast.net |
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#5 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: May 2012
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 1,906
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Re: Question about the front crossmember under core support
That's quite possible, though it will probably never exactly line up without a little help. You can do like RodnRudy said, get the bolts in and cinched down and you'll be fine.
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#6 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: May 2012
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 1,906
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Re: Question about the front crossmember under core support
Also, you want to take down the mar/gouges from your air chisel. That way you get good member to member contact when you install the anti sway bar brackets. You are piggy backing on the cross member, and in my humble opinion that takes precedence. Just an extra thought to make sure you get a good assembly.
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#7 | ||
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: American Canyon, CA
Posts: 253
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Re: Question about the front crossmember under core support
Quote:
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#8 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: New Palestine In
Posts: 931
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Re: Question about the front crossmember under core support
You may have to drill a hole in the middle of the rivet, say 1/4" drill . That will give the rivet room to compress when you're driving it out. If need you can always drill the rivet completely out with appropriate size drill. Phil
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Phil "Money is only a tool to create and achieve what you want most in life" PayPal: rodnrudy@comcast.net |
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#9 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Gods country East,Tn
Posts: 8,545
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Re: Question about the front crossmember under core support
A 4" grinder works in seconds to grind the rivit head off and drive it thru with a punch and 2 lb hammer using an air hammer is crazy , takes too long and scars the cross member or frame .
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![]() 1967 Factory short bed - Old school '71 - 350 / 4bolt / 487 heads / Edelbrock C3BX Muncie M-22 4 speed / Hurst Comp plus Factory 12 bolt posi 3.73 / 255-70-15 Smoothed firewall / Factory cowl induction Power disc brakes / power steering / 3.5-5" drop |
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#10 |
Account Suspended
![]() Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Tacoma, WA
Posts: 6,873
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Re: Question about the front crossmember under core support
The crossmember is definitely required, it ties the 2 front rails together for the steering box to turn the wheels, without it or if it gets loose the truck will have a lot of play in the wheel because it will be flexing the frame rail and not turning the wheels or holding them straight.
BTW, I just removed a really nice front crossmember from a '71 if you need one...I think I offered it to another member here for $40 plus shipping. |
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#11 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Colfax-California
Posts: 8,518
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Re: Question about the front crossmember under core support
I just did this 2 weeks ago to my 68. Drill the rivet in the center, punch out. Where the member shifted, like stated before, line it up with a punch or screwdriver then clamp it (I happened to use vice-grips) Drill out the hole to 7/16. You'll need 1-1/4'' long bolts where it goes through the x-member and 1'' where it doesn't. The reason for drilling out is that the rivet holes seem to be between 3/8 and 7/16 which is usually 10mm. Putting a 3/8'' bolt in say a 10mm hole will allow the member to flex and move some. You want a tight fit. Grade 8 hardware also.
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#12 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: American Canyon, CA
Posts: 253
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Re: Question about the front crossmember under core support
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#13 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Colfax-California
Posts: 8,518
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Re: Question about the front crossmember under core support
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