FRAME REPAIR PATCH??
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2020
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From: MASSACHUSETTS
FRAME REPAIR PATCH??
1993 f150 4x4 I'm in the middle of a frame-off. of course I notice the frame is cracked behind the steering gear like alot of them are. the donor truck I have is cracked too!! I've already put many weeks worth of work into getting this frame ready to be rust-proofed and repainted, and bought almost every bracket and mount there is to bolt onto the frame.
the crack is about 3 inches long and goes right thru one of the steering gear bolt holes. I've heard this can be welded and the steering gear can also reinforced with a bracket to take off the stress. but my question is, is there a frame repair bracket out there to put on the outside of the frame rail for added strength? I cant seem to find one and figured there would be one considering this is a common problem. any help would be appreciated
the crack is about 3 inches long and goes right thru one of the steering gear bolt holes. I've heard this can be welded and the steering gear can also reinforced with a bracket to take off the stress. but my question is, is there a frame repair bracket out there to put on the outside of the frame rail for added strength? I cant seem to find one and figured there would be one considering this is a common problem. any help would be appreciated
Cross-Country
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 71
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My Grandson's 96 F150 had cracks at the steering box bolt holes and a crack at the bottom where frame halves were welded together. We had to cut an access hole on the outside to put additional weld on the bottom crack from the inside. We drilled the ends of the cracks before welding to keep them from spreading further and ground a notch in the cracks before welding. After welding we ground the welds flush at the bolt holes. Found out that a rivet had sheared at the bottom of the engine crossmember that probably contributed to the cracking. We replaced it with a 1/2" grade 8 bolt and welded a reinforcement piece between the frame bottom and the crossmember bottom. We also added a piece of 3"x3"x1/4" angle iron mounted between the brackets for the sway bar mounts on the frame. We were hoping this would help to stiffen up the front of the frame to help prevent future cracking. Good luck!
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,320
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From: Laramie, WY
The above post sums it up well. I just wanted to reiterate the importance of adding some kind of cross member (like the 3x3 angle iron described above). There's a pattern in these failures, where trucks that had a front sway bar tend not to crack, while those without do crack. The primary difference is that little bit of extra frame strength from the sway bar mounting bracket that acts like a frame cross member.
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Junior User
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From: MASSACHUSETTS
THANKS FOR THE REPLIES GUYS! I figured i'd have to make some kind of patch but was really hoping they made a bolt-on somewhere. So i'm gonna weld it the best I can, add some reinforcement and crossmember it.
If i wanted to add a sway bar I figure i'd need some brackets for the area by the coil springs, and the rest of the hardware that comes with the sway bar kit. anything else to it?
anyone have any idea about the steering gear pitman arm bracket they sell, is that necessary? btw im running 31" tires on stock suspension
If i wanted to add a sway bar I figure i'd need some brackets for the area by the coil springs, and the rest of the hardware that comes with the sway bar kit. anything else to it?
anyone have any idea about the steering gear pitman arm bracket they sell, is that necessary? btw im running 31" tires on stock suspension
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,320
Likes: 287
From: Laramie, WY
THANKS FOR THE REPLIES GUYS! I figured i'd have to make some kind of patch but was really hoping they made a bolt-on somewhere. So i'm gonna weld it the best I can, add some reinforcement and crossmember it.
If i wanted to add a sway bar I figure i'd need some brackets for the area by the coil springs, and the rest of the hardware that comes with the sway bar kit. anything else to it?
anyone have any idea about the steering gear pitman arm bracket they sell, is that necessary? btw im running 31" tires on stock suspension
If i wanted to add a sway bar I figure i'd need some brackets for the area by the coil springs, and the rest of the hardware that comes with the sway bar kit. anything else to it?
anyone have any idea about the steering gear pitman arm bracket they sell, is that necessary? btw im running 31" tires on stock suspension
I don't think any kind of steering gear brace is needed. My truck does not have one. It has had that front sway bar cross member, as well as a beefy front hitch, forever. 313k miles, gets used pretty hard in the WY & CO mountains, 33" tires.
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