grafx

Lately the problem seems to be getting worse. When making a right turn, usually at parking lot speeds I can hear a loud pop and sometimes I can even feel it through the gas pedal. I'm thinking the frame might be cracked. I've gotten under the car and looked at the frame but didn't see any cracks. Are these cars more likely to develope the cracks behind the steering box? I plan on installing a Steering Brace hopfully by next week if GW gets them in stock. If it is a cracked frame will installing the wonder bar eliminate the pops? Below are steering components I've already replaced


-bushings w/poly
-idler arm/ center link
-ball joints

ANDYZ28

You must have the cracks repaired by a welder or body shop first. Then install the "Wonder Bar". You probably have a cracked frame.

The only cars that don't seem to develop this problem are the IROCs. That all cam with the "Wonder Bar" from the factory.

Thanx,ANDYZ28

grafx

how easy would the cracks be to spot? I've looked under the car before and didn't notice any. Are they more likely to be behind the steering box?

ANDYZ28

Yep!

grafx

if it is cracked behind the steering box would welding the crack and installing a wonder bar be good enough or should I weld on some sort of reinforcement plate behind the box?

ANDYZ28

That all depends upon the severity of the cracking. A 1/8" thick reinforcement would work just fine. If the reinforcement was "plug welded" then the welds ground flush. All that would be requiered would be to have the toe in reset. This is due to the 1/8" relocation of the steering box.

Thanx,ANDYZ28

89 Iroc Z

I have a Wonder Bar on my IROC and my frame rail is craked. I am not sure what to do about it.

ANDYZ28

As I stated earlier. If the cracking is not too bad. Welding alone can solve the problem. But be certain that the welds are ground down flush. If the cracking is severe. Than it will require a plate reinforcement to be "plug welded" in place.

Thanx,ANDYZ28

grafx

Even if it isn't a bad crack I was thinking of welding on a piece of high strength steel just as a precautionary measure. If I weld on a 1/8 inch plate behind the box, how bad would it through the alignment off? Also like I stated earlier in the post, it makes the popping noise when turning right probably because more preasure is being applied to the area of the steering box. Of course! But what causes the popping noise, is it the 2 ends of the crack rubbing together or what?