I have big cracks on the frame around the steering box on my 84' Z28, I have a parts car.
Can I swap the front frame member?
Does it unbolt?
How can I do this without welding?
Any detailed info availabe.
Thank you, tech gods, for your help

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99' Z28 Droptop M6
a few mods...
327 rwhp, 336 ft/lbs

 

it is part of the unibody structure. I would weld the cracks then cover the area with .100" steel plate welded circumferentially

 

my camaro was wrecked......the frame right around the steering gear was cracked.......HUGE crack..sorry your stuck with it and the only way i found to fix it was have it welded.....and that was a strong *** c-clamp to join the frame together.....my dads friend welded it for $30......

 

I've got a similar problem that I am working on right now. I have gotten all the additional bracing that I can find (two triangular braces and an iroc wonderbar), but haven't put them on yet. They should eliminate all of the flexing. I will weld the crack up, and maybe put a plate over it. I will let you know how the repairs go. By the way, I spoke with a collision repair shop who quoted $150 to $350 depending on the extent (they didn't have an open lift to put it on, and it was raining). They said that it is a common problem and just happens over time. Their suggested repair was a weld with a plate on top (or bottom, depending on how you look at it)

Mike

 

Mike where are you at in Atlanta? I'm in Conyers! I smell thirdgen gathering!

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84 Camaro ZZ4 with HOT cam. 1.88 60' (12.98 @ 105MPH E.T.)
Other Mods: You name it and I have probably changed it.

91 Firebird 5.0L TBI

ASE Certified Auto Tech
LIVE AND DIE BY THE ALMIGHTY BOWTIE!

 

Listen to merf23!!. He knows what he is talking about. If you just weld the crack without the plate on top welded circumferentially, it will just crack again. I know from experience. You must put the plate. No problems after having plate welded.

[This message has been edited by Nightcruzer (edited December 04, 2000).]

 

Well, It's more then just cracked.
Some Bozo cut away at the inside of the frame rail to fit a nonstock sterring box in, so it is weakened and of course, now cracked in every direction and flexing as well.
I was hoping that I'd get lucky, and it would unbolt like a 4th Gen, But that would be too easy.
so we will be cutting away the injured area, welding in a cut to fit piece of frame, and then backing it with a plate or possibly one on either side, and replace the steering box with the one out of the parts car.
Thanks for your help.

 

Plate over each butt weld. Use 0.100 steel plate. Extend it at least 3 inches past the weld on both sides (if possible).

 

CamaroMike,

Conyers you say? That's awesome. I've pretty much grown up there. I spend half my time in conyers and the other half at ga tech downtown. I'd definately be up for meeting some local thirdgenners. Especially since I am just getting started really working on my car and could probably use some ideas. Send an email so we can talk about it more off the board since it is for tech.

Tech stuff:
Installed my wonderbar and two other steering subframe braces last night. I still have to weld up the crack, but the braces have pretty much ended all of the flexing in the area. No more popping sounds when I turn, and the car is much more responsive to steering wheel movements. But my car had only one crack (pretty big/long) and it sounds like some of these others are a lot worse off.