OK, Bradshawtech and myself installed the weld in brace yesterday. It went in just fine. Here are some pics. The first couple pics are the crack on the frame and the weld to fix it.
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.
ORD Steering Brace Install With Pics.
- Thread starter munepit
- Start date
Here are a few more.
Thanks Tom for your help. You made it look easy.
It looks from the state of disassembly that it might be a while until that truck is driving again. Once you do, make sure to check the steering box bolts a few times. It may take a little bit for that brace to 'settle' against the frame, and that may lead to the bolts becoming a little loose (no matter how tight they were once you installed the box). On my truck, the bolts needed a little tug to be back to torque specs after a few hundred miles, but not much since...
Who is the fat, gray headed welder guy in the photo?
How do you like those welds? Looks good to me!
I am curious also. What is the opinion of the experts?
Somebody is bound to tell you to grind it all out and start over, but it looks good to me*.
*I am not an expert, nor do I play one on TV, and I did not stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night.
*I am not an expert, nor do I play one on TV, and I did not stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night.
I think the welds look great....looks like good penetration, and nice beads.
Am I seeing a gap here between the two pieces?
I tacked mine in place and tried to hammer it tight against the frame rail before welding it in.
Am I seeing a gap here between the two pieces?
I tacked mine in place and tried to hammer it tight against the frame rail before welding it in.
We beat it down to the frame where we could get to it with a hammer and punch while the steering gearbox was mounted.
I made sure that it was tight to the frame while tacking it up. I was also sure to weld deep into any gaps with multiple passes.
I made sure that it was tight to the frame while tacking it up. I was also sure to weld deep into any gaps with multiple passes.
That thing is stayin put. There is 5.2lbs. of weld in there. Its solid! Just kidding. Thanks again Tom.
The Rough Country brace and the ORD brace are quite different. I looked at both and went ORD. They are similar in stamping but the shape is very different. There is a third brand that I could not find that is really cheap and not even close to the level of stamping on the ORD one. I have welded two of the ORD ones on to two different rigs and I stitch welded mine. In retrospect, I wish I would also have seam sealed it as well. I did paint it heavily once it was welded though spraying the paint into every nook and cranny so hopefully I will be fine.
ORD
Rough Country
I bought my brace from ORD, and they sent me the rough country style one you have pictured...
I got mine from ORD also. It looks more like the Rough Country one pictured vs. the ORD one pictured. The bottom plate I received looks like the ORD one pictured above.
I would recommend this product to anyone who wants/needs to reepair or strengthen their frame.
I would recommend this product to anyone who wants/needs to reepair or strengthen their frame.
Desert Rat
Fetch the comfy chair
Hmm, I do see that. My ORD was like the one in the picture that I lifted from their website and is the one that I have on my rig. Perhaps they did switch suppliers to the same one Rough Country uses.
Brown75K5
1/2 ton status
I know this is an old thread, but I am about to do this to my K5 and was wondering what the consensus is on whether or not to prime the welding area. Obviously going to apply something over the area after its welded but didn't know about before hand. Thanks.
Yes & no.
I would prime the area covered by the plate that is not already painted but do not paint the areas to be welded as you want to weld on bare metal, not primed/painted.
I would prime the area covered by the plate that is not already painted but do not paint the areas to be welded as you want to weld on bare metal, not primed/painted.
I used zinc primer on the frame and the back side of the brace's....kept it light where welding was taking place, but its just a barrier between two pieces of raw steel to protect against corrosion...but then I live in MI. I also run seam sealer around the perimeter of the pieces where there was no weld, then zinc coated, urethane primer, and urethane single stage topcoat.
Brown75K5
1/2 ton status
Exactly what I needed to know, thanks.
teacher_dave
1/2 ton status
Just got my kit today from ORD. It has Rough Country instructions with it.
Dave
Dave
Mine had the same instructions also. Great kit though.
