maxmrder

Hi,

I have an 84 berlinetta that has a crack in the frame near the front left wheel well. After doing some research it appears this is a common problem with early 3 gens. I am hoping I will be able to repair the crack in a manner similar to that described here: https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/post...81-post15.html. I will be welding the crack adding K-member braces. Has anyone attempted this type of repair to the frame?

Will i need to remove the engine etc to repair the crack?

Will the repaired frame be able to pass an inspection? (i live in Alberta, Canada so inspection laws may be different)

Any other information/tips would be much appreciated.

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

It's done all the time.

No need to remove the engine.

Best way is, remove the rubber nose; remove the actual "bumper" behind it; weld a plate INSIDE the K-member.

Nobody will ever even know it's there.

(after you put the bumper & nose back on, at least)

John in RI

iTrader: (167)

I'd advise you to get the cross-member to frame-rail braces first and then set them in place to see if they will bolt up AS IS. If the bolt holes line up and will allow the braces to be installed - then removed them and start welding.

Basically; You want to be sure the frame and rails are in the correct position BEFORE welding the crack(s) and installing the braces !

SlickTrackGod

You don;t need to plate the frame. You do that and the box will not sit in proper geometry and your Pitman and idler will swing in different arcs.

Just pull the box off, weld it and grind the welds flat, cover it with epoxy paint to protect it from future corrision, and put a Wonderbar onto the car to help prevent it from occuring again. THis is why GM outfitted the sport wheel IROCS (fatter tires from the factory) with the wonderbars to prevent the harder gripping tires fom pushing and pulling the frame rails apart under hard cornering. A wonderbar keeps the nose of the rails more squared so as not to have flex and eventually crack. The wonderbar helps support the steering box rail with the strength of the passenger rail as a brace by tieing them together.

naf

iTrader: (7)

A pic of the repair done to my 84 Berli prior to me. They installed a plate within the cutout behind the steering box that did not affect the mounting point:




I've since installed the triangle braces and wonderbar on this vehicle. Part way back to movable (under its own power):