EXTREME frame deflection!!! HELP!!!
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Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Conyers
EXTREME frame deflection!!! HELP!!!
I noticed some cracks last night on my frame so I went to my friend's house and fired up the arc welder. For one reason or another, I got my friend to start the truck and turn the wheel. What I saw REALLY frightened me! The driver's side frame rail where the steering box is destorted soo much I was afraid it was gonna break in half. I'm thinking the rivets in the crossmember are broken, but I'm not sure. I need the truck to last until the summer (when I'll have the money to take it to a frame shop and have it professionally repaired), so I was thinking that I could get two pieces of square tubing and bolt one piece to the top and bolt one to the bottom of the frame so give it a tad bit of support. Any opinions of a cheap fix until I can get it professionally repaired?
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
EXTREME frame deflection!!! HELP!!!
You've got to do, what you have to do, but I think I would ask around to see if somebody would look at it for you for a small fee. You could:
1. See if you can find anybody that will touch it. Some people are funny about welding frames, and a good welder knows his limitations.
2. Find somebody to look the whole thing over and tell you if it's worth fixing, or just get another used frame. I don't know if you are equipped, or have the time, but rolling a whole new used frame under it would be one solution to save and otherwise good truck.
1. See if you can find anybody that will touch it. Some people are funny about welding frames, and a good welder knows his limitations.
2. Find somebody to look the whole thing over and tell you if it's worth fixing, or just get another used frame. I don't know if you are equipped, or have the time, but rolling a whole new used frame under it would be one solution to save and otherwise good truck.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
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From: Memphis, TN
EXTREME frame deflection!!! HELP!!!
I wouldn't try a "cheap fix" with something as critical as the frame & steering. If you do and have a wreck 
, you could get sued for operating a vehicle you KNEW to be unsafe 
, but you probably won't have to worry about it because you probably wouldn't survive. 
Do it right or park it. I got lucky... (see sig link)
, you could get sued for operating a vehicle you KNEW to be unsafe , but you probably won't have to worry about it because you probably wouldn't survive. Do it right or park it. I got lucky... (see sig link)
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Quaker Hill ,CT U.S.A.
EXTREME frame deflection!!! HELP!!!
Find a good welder and have it welded ...these are not Class A truck frames . they are mild steel and weld very easily good luck ..get that thing fixed!
Jon
Jon
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From: Conyers
EXTREME frame deflection!!! HELP!!!
I went in and welded all the cracks with an arc welder and added a support bracket to the steering box and it from what I can see while turning the steering wheel myself, it helped a good bit.
