Frame Repair?

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2013: Frame Repair?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Barker on Wednesday, May 15, 2013 - 05:53 pm:

So, I began cleaning-up my frame and saw a crack in the front crossmember where the spring bolt mounts. Weld it up, while I have it apart? Don't have a welder, so will have to take it to have it repaired. I think I already know the answer.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Eubanks, Powell, TN on Wednesday, May 15, 2013 - 06:11 pm:

Crossmembers are plentiful, replace it. Get one of those things that centers a drill bit on the rivits, drill them out and rerivit another CM in.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ted Dumas on Wednesday, May 15, 2013 - 06:34 pm:

I think I would bevel out and stop drill the cracks and weld it up.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Richard Gould on Wednesday, May 15, 2013 - 06:57 pm:

Welding is easier than replacing the member. If done half way right, it'll hold up fine. I am no welder by any stretch but I have done it with success.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Paul Mikeska, Denver CO on Wednesday, May 15, 2013 - 07:26 pm:

I have done both on different cars. The welded one was worse than your picture and is still running strong. Welding is much easier than replacing the front cross member.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Thode Chehalis Washington on Wednesday, May 15, 2013 - 07:33 pm:

I vote for welding. Welding is a 10 minute job and replacing the whole thing will take most of a day, required several parts, take two people and some specialized tools.
Jim


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Wednesday, May 15, 2013 - 07:54 pm:

Depends on time available. If you have the time, replace and rivet. If not, weld. I've done both, and prefer to replace.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Aaron Griffey, Hayward Ca. on Wednesday, May 15, 2013 - 11:43 pm:

If you slow down when hitting curbs straight on a welded cross member will last a long time.
A good used one is cheap, easy to come by but you may notice in the shop manual they use the term, "bitch" to drill all the rivets out and replace.
I got a good one from Jack Darren some years ago and it did take about half a day to replace, if not longer.
Front cross members on the T do not get broken as frequently as the Model A.
Weld it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Barker on Thursday, May 16, 2013 - 08:16 am:

Thanks for all the input. Given that it's not a huge crack, all the rivets are tight, the rest of the frame (including the crossmember) looks very good, and I have limited availability of tools/local help, etc., I'll have it welded.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Adam Doleshal on Friday, May 17, 2013 - 02:05 pm:

A good used cross member is $50 and I have a pile of them.

Riveting in is okay and doesn't take long with the proper tools. With that said, bolting it in with grade 8 bolts, nuts, and lock-washers, all torqued properly works fine and only takes a few minutes.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Barker on Friday, May 17, 2013 - 02:15 pm:

I have an industrial mechanic I know where I work who took a look and said he can weld it without any problems. I think that's the route I'll go. If I run into any problems, I can always take the replacement route. Thanks.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Adam Doleshal on Friday, May 17, 2013 - 02:45 pm:

If you drive your T around the neighborhood and to a couple parades and carshows each year (maybe 200 miles) a weld job will probably be good for a very long time.

If you drive a couple thousand miles per year, you might find some small cracks around the area of the weld in a few years. The good thing is that cracks usually start small and grow. Just keep an eye on it.



Make sure you have a cushion between the top spring and cross member. Also make sure the spring is bolted tightly to the cross member.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Barker on Friday, May 17, 2013 - 03:16 pm:

Will do, thanks. It's not going to get 1,000 miles a year. Also, Speedster body, so much lighter than full-bodied cars.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Barker on Saturday, May 25, 2013 - 03:21 pm:

Well, got my frame welded this morning. After grinding the excess weld bead down, it looks good. Drilled first, at each end of the crack.

Thanks for all input. Hopefully it'll be good for another 90+ years.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ken Kopsky, Lytle TX on Saturday, May 25, 2013 - 03:29 pm:

Looks good! Splash some black on it and get-er done!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Barker on Saturday, May 25, 2013 - 03:31 pm:

Priming this afternoon. Thanks!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By john kuehn on Saturday, May 25, 2013 - 04:27 pm:

Did the same thing with mine for my 24 Coupe.
That crack is not bad at all.
Good for more time than we will be alive. Guranteed!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Saturday, May 25, 2013 - 04:54 pm:

Be sure you use the pad!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Barker on Saturday, May 25, 2013 - 05:31 pm:

Will do Steve. Reassembly is a-ways off yet, but I'll be sure to have the pads in front and rear. Thanks!


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