EverydayDiesel

I went out ot my truck to replace the ball joints and noticed that my cross memeber has disconnected from my frame.

Anything I can do about this?


From the front of the truck looking back...










from the back of the wheel looking forward



17 from the back of the wheel looking forward with the truck jacked up

JPR Ram

OUCH!! Thats pretty ugly. What to do about it really depends on if you can lay a good bead? If you know how weld and have the equipment, maybe repair it yourself. If not, maybe take it to a welding shop that knows how to repair frames.

EverydayDiesel

Well i have a friend that is a professional welder but do you think it can be welded?

vzdude

Almost anything can be welded. Biggest thing is.....what caused it to break? and trying to keep it from happening again. I think most welders will tell you to drill a hole at the end of each crack. That supposedly will keep them from going any further after they get welded up. I don't think they weld the holes though, just the crack, right up to the newly drilled hole.

JPR Ram

I don't have a 2wd, so I'm not too sure what everything under there looks like. But I'd have to say.....yes, it can be welded. A lot of work will have to be put into it to cleaning up old welds and the reinforcing everything. To do it right, the motor will have to be pulled out. I had to do something simular on my old '72 K-5.

EverydayDiesel

i have no idea what caused it to break. Ive only had the truck 6 months and the other side panel had been repainted. Nothing showed up on the car fax report.


The big question is, does the motor have to be pulled in order to do it?
I REALLY hope not because thats alot more work then im wanting to do.

1-2-3

Was this ever in a wreck? Did you ever hit a stump? Ever feel or hear something really loud? I can't imagine that happening without some sort of help.

EverydayDiesel

I just went out there to feel if it had been welded before and it hasnt, those are clean breaks with no beads anywhere around there. I guess the only thing holding the truck up right now is the upper ball joint





I bought the truck used so I dont know...ive only had it 6 months

bsj04

probably wont have to pull the motor, if the weight if the motor in on it i would loosen up the motor mounts and use a jack to take the weight off so it would be easier to move the crossmember back to where it needs to be. as long as there is enough room to work i dont see the motor needing to come out.

EverydayDiesel

I think we have enough room to work but im concerned about that brake line

Maybe we can wrap it something to protect it...i dunno im not a welder

Im guessing he will stick/arc weld it since the frame is so thick? or is there a better way?

Clayten

Just use an old license plate between the weld and the brake line when you weld it.

johnh

i can weld it! i would use some ceramic fiber insulation around the brake line(cerawool) clean really good with a die grinder, realign , weld, grind flush and fishplate where possible and you're done

EverydayDiesel

im guessing stick/arc would be the best for this type of welding?

johnh

yes ,7018 rod

EverydayDiesel

If he gets good penetration, which i know he will.

Will this weld last or is it time to look for a new truck?