Frame Crack Repair

[jeff in co]

I've done a lot of things on this truck, but one thing that was performed by previous owner was the frame crack at the steering box. Looking on the backside, I can still see the crack, but it looks to be distorted by heat. I'm assuming they welded the crack on the other side, and then installed the repair kit plates.

Should I see the crack repair weld all the way through or should I assume it's good??

I hear a slight popping sound when I turn the wheel from side to side, but can't quite pinpoint where it's coming from. Somewhere near the steering box. I'm just assuming a loose rivet.

Does the repair look good??

 

[rampage]

Can't see pics since I'm not a member, but you should be able to see where they stop drilled the cracks. The popping noise can be loose rivets as you said or worn spring bushings. Have someone turn the steering wheel back and forth while you locate the noise.

 

[jeff in co]

Can't see pics since I'm not a member, but you should be able to see where they stop drilled the cracks. The popping noise can be loose rivets as you said or worn spring bushings. Have someone turn the steering wheel back and forth while you locate the noise.

Yea, the drawback of not being a paid member..... Because of that, I use to use Photobucket so external people could view....but now photobucket wants $400. That is SO not in the budget!

I don't see any drill holes at the end of the cracks so that's got me wondering. And I also just replaced the steering box with a new Napa one (much better now!)

 

[RubberFloorMat]

looks good to me. Ive done two myself and my newest one had it down by one of the best body shops in town and it looks about like this only with paint on the outboard side.

 

[K85 Octane]

I don't see where the lower reinforcement plate is welded. It should be welded to the large side plate and the bottom of the frame. Just kinda odd. The crack area looks find. If you are going to weld the small plate, you can pull that one bolt out and weld in a thick washer in. Popping could be a number of things though.

 

[CK5]

I've done a lot of things on this truck, but one thing that was performed by previous owner was the frame crack at the steering box. Looking on the backside, I can still see the crack, but it looks to be distorted by heat. I'm assuming they welded the crack on the other side, and then installed the repair kit plates.

Should I see the crack repair weld all the way through or should I assume it's good??

I hear a slight popping sound when I turn the wheel from side to side, but can't quite pinpoint where it's coming from. Somewhere near the steering box. I'm just assuming a loose rivet.

Does the repair look good??

View attachment 241945

View attachment 241946

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View attachment 241949

If you put a flashlight on the other side can you see light through the crack?

 

[CK5]

Yea, the drawback of not being a paid member..... Because of that, I use to use Photobucket so external people could view....but now photobucket wants $400. That is SO not in the budget!

I don't see any drill holes at the end of the cracks so that's got me wondering. And I also just replaced the steering box with a new Napa one (much better now!)

If you upload the pics to the media gallery and then click the camera icon while making a post you can drag and drop into a post, everyone can view the pics.

 

[jeff in co]

If you put a flashlight on the other side can you see light through the crack?

No, already have the repair plate on the other side. Just trying to see if it was done properly or not. The welds look decent to me and are staggered (like the instructions say).

I guess I'll just have to study it further when the popping sound happens.

 

[jeff in co]

thanks CK5....tried it out and looks like it's posting.

frame crack 5

• jeff in co
• Aug 24, 2017

frame crack 9

• jeff in co
• Aug 24, 2017

Off topic but I'd like to fix a few threads where I used Photobucket before they disappear. I'll give this a shot there too! Electric Speedo conversion thread.

 

[Bent77]

Sometimes that popping is a worn out tie rod or drag link end, sometimes a ball joint.

I did recently have a steering box making the popping.
Observe if it is doing it under the same conditions: speed, direction, or amount the wheel is turned

 

[sweetk30]

also frozen u-joint on front shaft at wheel .

 

[rampage]

also frozen u-joint on front shaft at wheel .

Wouldn't that cause weird steering issues like sticking too?

 

[diesel4me]

It can...I've had it happen..
I have seen wheel bearings make that pop noise too--one 4x4 I had,the outer race spun in the hub,leaving it a sloppy fit instead of a press fit,and it would creak and snap if you turned the wheels while parked.

I have had more than one GM 4x4 that had several sheared rivets on the front crossmember that the sway bar bolts to,had to drill them out and put bolts in instead,I also ran a bead and welded them to the frame..sometimes body mounts can make that noise if the rubbers are shot or the cab mounts are rotted too..
One truck I had that made a pop noise while turning the wheels ended up being the transmission cross member bolts--someone put 3/8" bolts in there,the holes are 7/16" factory,I had to hog them out to 1/2" and use that size bolts..the 3/8" bolts were not even tight,half sheared,and twisted off when I went to remove them..frame holes were egged out too..