My K5 is in critical condition and not expected to survive...

[kphx87blazer]

Howdy folks...

1987 K5 Blazer 4x4, 350, 1/2 ton axles, 35" tires, 6 inch lift.

I just found some major cracks on my frame. The cracks are where the steering box bolts to the frame. The cracks are near all four bolts. in fact, took the box off and a piece of the frame about the size of a poker chip fell in the dirt.

Dont know what caused this? I have a heavy duty winch bumper with a M12000. Ive used the winch a few times.

I did some heavy wheeling, but still have 1/2 ton axles. I would have thought a drive shaft, U joint or axle would have broke before I saw cracks like this in the frame.

Plus, I have shocks in the steering to take the brunt of a rock impact.


Your thoughts on how to FIX this???

Any thoughts on how this could have happened? Is this a common problem?

Good day.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Very common problem.

You need these.

You need to drill out the ends of the cracks and grind a groove down the cracks, weld them up, then grind it back smooth and weld the brace over it.

The bolt on brace will help keep that from happening again.

 

[Chevy305]

this is a very common problem. Its a weak point of all the 73-87 frames. ORD sells a weld on frame repair kit. While you are at it you should put in the bolt on brace for extra piece of mind. Dont forget to always check the bolts on the steering box as they do tend to stretch and loosen with wear and creates slop which kills the frame.

 

[diesel4me]

I am willing to bet his frame has several broken rivets at the front crossmembers too--almost every GM truck I have had ,had at least a couple of rivets missing or sheared and weren't doing anything...trucks with any kind of lift kit are especially prone to frame troubles ,big tires make steering boxes want to tear the frame instead of steering the tires too...but I have seen busted frames at the steering box and broken rivets on bone stock trucks too,had a 2wd that had a cracked frame at the P/S box too,so its not just a 4x4 problem!..

I have had 3 4x4s with Fisher plows,and to my surprise,all 3 of them had NO frame cracks at the P/S box or any rivets sheared--evidently the heavy steel plow push frame beefed up frame sufficiently to prevent any damage,despite years of abuse pushing snow that was more like wet cement,that almost puts you thru the windsheild when you ram into it..