Cracked Frame [Archive] - Chevelle Tech

: Cracked Frame


califgman
Jun 20th, 02, 2:54 AM
I found a small crack on my frame behind the lower A-Arm mount, and on the weld for the A-Arm itself. Is my frame doomed, or can I have those areas repaired well enough to be safe??????

FO_FDYFO
Jun 20th, 02, 11:44 AM
it can be fixed.

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Midnight Marauder
Jun 20th, 02, 1:04 PM
Along the same line - Will that welded section forever be a weak point if one puts say, a 496 with 500 plus HP n torque in their ride?

HAd a small crack drivers side rear behind rear tire in frame and now concerned that i'll always risk snapping it again.

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'70 SS 396
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dwebb210
Jun 20th, 02, 1:17 PM
I cracked the frame once.
The local chevy dealer repair shop did a pretty impressive job welding it.

Find someone who can do vertical welds. It isn't easy.

As far as it being a weak point...
If it was a good weld, it shouldn't be a weak point. In fact, it would probably be the strongest part of the frame. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

Dave

Midnight Marauder
Jun 20th, 02, 1:48 PM
http://www.chevelles.com/forum/cool.gif thanks

FO_FDYFO
Jun 20th, 02, 2:12 PM
correct. a good weld shold not continue to break. an extra precaution would be to drill a hole at the end of the crack. this acts as a stress relief and will stop any further cracking. then weld it well. actually the weld will be the strongest part of the frame. it is the interfacing steel that meets the weld wich would be the next failing part if it were to accur. a good weld would include grinding open the crack to creat a good depth penetration weld.

70L34
Jun 20th, 02, 2:22 PM
Anyone know how wide and how deep you should "V" the crack for a strong weld?

Randy Mosier
Jun 20th, 02, 3:05 PM
As for the Vee groove, about 75% of the metal thickness is typical.

califgman
Jun 20th, 02, 5:49 PM
Thanks for all of the input!!!!