What's new
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 kit / cracked frame questions

fordsucks!

fordsucks!

1/2 ton status
 Premium
Joined
Dec 6, 2018
Posts
986
Reaction score
946
Location
san diego ca
Just received ORD brace as well as cracked frame repair kit. questions are, would you coat the frame and ORD weld-on plates with anyting after install? Like por-15?

also, how many hours is normal for a shop to weld cracks, weld the ORD parts and also replace power steering gear box since its coming mostly off anyways?


Thanks in advance!

20201029_131126.jpg 20201102_100136.jpg
 
Time to repair would be dependent on condition. But presuming they have to remove the box, drill and clean the crack, then weld it and grind it smooth?
It'll take some time
 
Bent77 said:
Time to repair would be dependent on condition. But presuming they have to remove the box, drill and clean the crack, then weld it and grind it smooth?
It'll take some time
Click to expand...

Remove box, weld cracks, weld on new plates, install brace, install new box

They quoted 4-8 hours... I'm okay with 4 but 8 is too much, no?
 
I think someone with experience doing this job can get it done in 4 hours assuming they don’t run into any problems. I don’t think I would quote less than 6 hours if I bid the job.
 
Hopefully your frame isn’t as tweaked as mine. Had hell trying to get the plate flat on the frame and holes lined up.
 
You have lots of variables going on . Box R&I time . Then as said clean . Drill ends of cracks . Grind out and v the cracks . Weld up and dress them down . THEN start the repair plate job. And the lower one sucks doing in a full assembled truck .

I prefer to bolt the repair plate in with 4 bolts and nuts like it is the box . These plates dont fit the best out of the box so tweeking is required . Get it as flare to the frame as possible .

Both kits at 1 time I also plan for possible longer grd8 7/16 bolts to hold the box to the frame . Some need them some dont .

Most shops are looking up labor rate for box R&I and fill p/s fluid and bleed system . Then there adding hrs for your extra stuff .

So unless you can do this your self . . Or a friend or site member you trust. . Then your paying the money .

And if you can't tell i have done this more than 2 times :pimp:
 
Is there a web page for woods offroad, I can't find it. Unless it's only book of faces then I don't want to.
 
I had a local shop do my brace and the weld on plates. They charged me 2 hours, but there were no cracks in the frame yet and they didn't do any work to the box, however they did have to take it off and put it back on. As has already been mentioned, there was some bending and pounding to get the plates flat on the frame.
 
It really depends on how bad the frame crack is. But even on the worse one i have done, I still only billed 6 hours. And that one had a piece of frame come out with the box! My shop is in Ontario, little bit of a trip from SD. Johnny Wood from Woods Offroad is a good dude and does quality work. I know he's moving into a bigger shop space this week, but he will get you taken care of and do it right.
 
In general 6 hours plus fluid get both braces installed.
Frame bare. Drill stopped cracks, bevel and weld. Paint and assembly. Then fresh fluid and a bleed then a test drive and a pressure wash.
That does take quite a bit of time from service at the counter to the tech handing the keys back to the counter.
 
just remembered the last one i did was weld on only and bare roller frame no body or driveline . that one still took north of 3 hr's from start to finish . had 4-5 cracks and all up in tight places . with body on and engine in it can be fun getting to the inside of the frame rail sometimes were the crack is at .
 
It's been years since I did this work on my K5, but was going to say 3-4 hours assuming the frame isn't too jacked up.
 
Update - my Blazer has been in the shop for 5 days, they are still working on it.

They have upped the labor to 8 hours (previously 6). This is for welding cracks, weld in ORD plates, paint that section of frame, install autofab/ORD brace, install brand new steering gearbox (old was hemorrhaging fluid from top and bottom).

Is 8 hours still acceptable for this scope of work?
 
fordsucks! said:
Update - my Blazer has been in the shop for 5 days, they are still working on it.

They have upped the labor to 8 hours (previously 6). This is for welding cracks, weld in ORD plates, paint that section of frame, install autofab/ORD brace, install brand new steering gearbox (old was hemorrhaging fluid from top and bottom).

Is 8 hours still acceptable for this scope of work?
Click to expand...
I think its reasonable. Its specialized work, not a brake job on a Honda here. It will annoy you when you pay the bill but you will know its done right, steering is important.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom