Cracked in frame - 1987 Chevy Silverado

[Mike Phillips]

Cracked in frame - 1987 Chevy  Silverado

Ugh...

This is why I don't like "buying" someone else's build and prefer to build my own trucks.

Looks like there was a crack in the frame and instead of starting by fixing the crack they just patched over it.

So now I get to do it right the second time.

Pulled the motor to access the inside of the frame.  Cleaned up 30 years of grime with Oven Cleaner and today I meet with my welder buddy to make the repair.

Here's a couple of pics...

This is the outside patch- looks like they cut off a mirror image section of frame off another truck and welded it to the outside of the frame on my truck.



Here's the problem though- the never addressed the actual crack and it's grown.







I'll update with the repair.

Note to self - never buy - always build.





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mike Phillips]

My favorite degreaser!



Just be sure to wear the appropriate eye and skin protection.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[blazer74]

Went to the trouble of making a nice patch repair and never finished it correctly.

[VileZambonie]

Yeah wear a mask too with that crap.

Looks like a pretty easy fix. You'll be good in no time.

[Mike Phillips]

Did some more cleaning and removed a bracket in front of the crossmember and took these pictures.





In front of the crossmember



Close-up



Me today...






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[FlatBlack77]

probably would have been a half decent repair if they would have drill holes at the end of the crack to stop it from getting worse

[1967KaiserM715]

I'm going to recommend the steering box brace from ORD or FabWorks. OR if your handy with angles and welding you could make your own.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mike Phillips]

Return led to this project yesterday.  Need to move the front crossmember out of the way for my friend Robbie DiTerlizzi to get in there and do some welding.

Here's my friend Rob torching out the rivets.  Rob worked as a car dismantler for 10 years.  He's an artist with a torch.

















Then a little air chiseling...




Crossmember out of the way...








Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mike Phillips]

I'm going to recommend the steering box brace from ORD or FabWorks.

Ordered the brace from FabWorks, will share some pics of the install today.

[Mike Phillips]

Done.

Brackets are installed.  I took enough pictures showing the entire process.  If the Mod like I can put together a full write-up on the project.

Couple of pics...







































Time to put the motor back in...




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Irish_Alley]

lots and lots of pictures, nice. this will make a good write up. stickied for now

[bd]

Mike, great job!

I recommend that if you haven't already done so, create sufficient clearance between the brake line and brace, so there is no possibility of rub-through...





I also recommend that you replace the front, short bracket lower attaching bolts with Grade 8 flange bolts and torque prevailing Grade 8 flange nuts...



Looking forward to your completed write up.

[ehjorten]

One thing to note...if you have an oil cooler, you will want to clearance the bottom flange of the large brace, where the oil cooler lines come through the crossmember.  there is heavy interference with the oil cooler lines.  I made a write-up about it and sent it to ORD, from where I got my brace kit, but never heard anything back as far as improvements to the product.