Cracked frame
New User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Houston USA
Cracked frame
I've had this truck about 6 months, 74F100 2wd, Rebuilt the motor, tranny, and repaired most of the rust. I was looking at my steering gear from under the truck and scraped away some grime to see a crack where the gear is bolted to apiece of welded steel on the frame. Right behind this weld is a hairline crack. It looks like it was caused by binding the steering. Is this dangerous and how do I fix it?
I don't think welding is a good idea because it will probably weaken the steel by applying heat. Or maybe it is, anybody out there experience this problem before?
Thanks
I don't think welding is a good idea because it will probably weaken the steel by applying heat. Or maybe it is, anybody out there experience this problem before?
Thanks
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 589
Likes: 0
Cracked frame
Very common on the later (77-79)4X4s I know that.Ive had them repaired before.Have a qualified welding shop look at it.They should be able to fabricate a piece to get you going safely.In most cases it will be much stronger than original.
New User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Houston USA
Cracked frame
I'm glad its not just me and my truck that has had this problem. I'll see if I can find somebody in the yellow pages to fix it. I like to do everything myself but this is a pretty sensitive problem. Can't screw the frame up.
Thanks 351coupe
Thanks 351coupe
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 2
From: Gainesville, FL
Cracked frame
Ty,
Have it welded. Then use large steel plates to back the areas of concern. I've seen them use a stick welder sucessfully on the dodge trucks which have an extremely weak frame in the steering gear area.
Large fender washers will not cut it for this repair. You'll need steel plates.
KingFisher
Have it welded. Then use large steel plates to back the areas of concern. I've seen them use a stick welder sucessfully on the dodge trucks which have an extremely weak frame in the steering gear area.
Large fender washers will not cut it for this repair. You'll need steel plates.
KingFisher
New User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Houston USA
Cracked frame
A welder named TEX at Doss welding used a stick welder to weld the crack and put some extra beads on the steering gear support in the frame. It looked good but better still, I noticed a huge improvement when encountering bumps at high speeds. Maybe I don't need a new gear after all. I sure hope it holds!!
