Cracked Frame!!!!

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Jul 28, 2009 | 08:30 PM

F-250 restorer

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From: Near Los Angeles

Cracked Frame!!!!

Today I degreased the engine compartment, removed, scrapped and painted the cross members, and was getting ready to paint when I saw a crack on the little vertical frame brace in front of the steering pump. Then I noticed where the cross member mounts to the frame, the factory weld is cracked too. But to top it all off, just behind where the p/s pump bolts on, the bottom of the three sided main frame is cracked clean through.

I about died. Now I am looking at welding in at least two frame braces.

Jul 28, 2009 | 10:59 PM

Ford_Six

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From: The Big, Oregon

That's quite common on any 4x4, there is a lot of stress on that area of the frame especially when larger tires are fitted.

Jul 28, 2009 | 11:07 PM

F-250 restorer

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4x4?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ford_Six

That's quite common on any 4x4, there is a lot of stress on that area of the frame especially when larger tires are fitted.

I can understand that, however, my truck is not a 4x4. What I noticed is that the steering box got loose, and may have been torqing/hitting the frame with each turn. Anyway, I'm glad everything is out of the way, and now I can really get in there and strengthen it with some angle iron. It is a 1 ton with very stiff suspension. Everything vibrates loose without lock nuts. Even the cross members and trans mount were loose, as were the engine towers/mounts. Yeah, holy crap-o-la.

I'll post photos tomorrow of the strengthening and welding, if anyone is interested.

Jul 30, 2009 | 11:01 PM

F-250 restorer

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Photos

Had to fabricate a plate to weld in for strength where the frame was cracked. I also went back and welded up the other cracks.

<a href="http://s659.photobucket.com/albums/uu316/bobbyrogue/?action=view&current=P1010193.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/uu316/bobbyrogue/P1010193.jpg" border="0" alt="cracked frame"></a>

<a href="http://s659.photobucket.com/albums/uu316/bobbyrogue/?action=view&current=P1010194.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/uu316/bobbyrogue/P1010194.jpg" border="0" alt="plate welded in"></a>

<a href="http://s659.photobucket.com/albums/uu316/bobbyrogue/?action=view&current=P1010195.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/uu316/bobbyrogue/P1010195.jpg" border="0" alt="other cracks welded"></a>

<a href="http://s659.photobucket.com/albums/uu316/bobbyrogue/?action=view&current=P1010201.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/uu316/bobbyrogue/P1010201.jpg" border="0" alt="Shazam!"></a>