Subframe repair(large pic warning)

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Nick Mailloux

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I finally decided to tackle the cracked subframe on my 73 swinger. I cut out the bad metal on the bottom where the rear kmember nut is and removed the nut. I ended up internally sleeving it with a piece of 3 by 2 inch 3/16th wall steel tubing. I did 3 3/8ths plug welds on the inner side and 5 on the outer side. Drilled the ends of the cracks and beveled them with a carbide bit in my die grinder. Then welded it all up and ground it smooth. This seemed more daunting than it actually is.

If anyone ever needs to do this, I took some pictures that may help show what I did. Make sure to measure 500 times and cut once!

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Right on Brother! Respect is Given, to a certain point, and Earned Afterwards. You, Sir, Have Earned mine! Honestly, that's a Slick Repair. Looks Strong as Heck
 
Right on Brother! Respect is Given, to a certain point, and Earned Afterwards. You, Sir, Have Earned mine! Honestly, that's a Slick Repair. Looks Strong as Heck
Thank I really appreciate that. Frame work has always kind of freaked me out. I just grabbed the bull by the horns and did went for it. Turned out way better than I would have hoped for. I really learned that if I can do it, anyone with a welder and time could do it!
 
Great work, @Nick Mailloux . Quite impressive. Stop drilling the cracks is an excellent idea that a lot of people don't think about.
I do have one question. In picture #5, I see what looks like the sleeve from #4 set into place. Are the pieces I see in pictures 6 & 7 the same parts as in 4 & 5 only with the nut installed and welded in?
Congrats. Great repair.
 
Great work, @Nick Mailloux . Quite impressive. Stop drilling the cracks is an excellent idea that a lot of people don't think about.
I do have one question. In picture #5, I see what looks like the sleeve from #4 set into place. Are the pieces I see in pictures 6 & 7 the same parts as in 4 & 5 only with the nut installed and welded in?
Congrats. Great repair.
Yes it's the same piece, I was test fitting it, and then marking where I needed to drill the hole for the kmember nut. And absolutely, I always drill the starts and ends of stress cracks, all it actually does is prevent it from spreading during the welding process. Added bonus is they are additional plug welds! The rear of the tube extends into the frame about an additional 1/2 an inch too, so even if the cracks come back, it will still be safe. Nothing can move!
 
Nice work! :thumbsup:

Frame repair can definitely seem kind of daunting for sure, but really it's all just about measuring and making sure stuff stays where it's supposed to.
 
Yes it's the same piece, I was test fitting it, and then marking where I needed to drill the hole for the kmember nut. And absolutely, I always drill the starts and ends of stress cracks, all it actually does is prevent it from spreading during the welding process. Added bonus is they are additional plug welds! The rear of the tube extends into the frame about an additional 1/2 an inch too, so even if the cracks come back, it will still be safe. Nothing can move!
I don't see those cracks coming back unless you try some General Lee jumps. Great work. You should include some text and make it a How To article.
 
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