More Frame Issues - Now What???

Zilverado · Mar 19th, 2005, 01:59 PM

So I got around to rotating my tires this afternoon and decided to take a closer look at my frame rot. I started to go at it with a large screw driver and AHHHH!!!!!!

right side frame!!

left side frame!!

My question now is - - How strong are these frames??? The top, bottom and inside of the frame rails still look, sound and feel quite solid, but as you can see, the outside is mush. We are planning a road trip to Minneapolis (approx 8 hrs. one way) for a week starting next Thursday, and likely won't have time to get this fixed before then. Am I CRAZY to leave home like this? I assume we have likely been dirving around with a rotted frame for a couple of years already, but how much do I push it???

Any thoughts here?

killabyte · Mar 19th, 2005, 06:39 PM

I don't know about the frame, I wouldn't take it off road. That right brake rotor looks bad. Is the caliper hanging up?

veesix · Mar 19th, 2005, 07:16 PM

I just rented a Chevy Malibu from Budget, in Jacksonville Florida, for a week. The total bottom line, after all taxes and fees,,,,,was $160 (gas was extra).

You might find someone to welded it up by next Thursday. If no one will patch the frame for you, I would go with duct tape.

X-Traction · Mar 20th, 2005, 10:37 PM

I wouldn't drive it much. Bear in mind that rust is always worse than it first looks. Do you know how much force it would take to cause the rear axle to come off? What could the consequences of that be? It is, after all, not the most roll-resistant and crashworthy vehicle on the road to begin with. What if you have a minor accident, like someone hitting you, made much more serious because the frame is weak? Not worth it.

Zilverado · Mar 21st, 2005, 09:12 AM

Thanks for the responses guys. I just got off the phone with a good local body shop and they were saying that this repair (they've done quite a few in recent years) runs anywhere from $400 to $2000 depending on the extent of the damage. They figured I probably didn't have to panic, since the vehicle has most likely been like this for quite some time, but they definitely wanted to see it before making a final call. I'll probably head over there tonight after work.

I'll keep you guys informed.

killabyte · Apr 9th, 2005, 07:45 PM

Just curious about your frame repair.

Zilverado · Apr 10th, 2005, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by killabyte

Just curious about your frame repair.

Thanks for asking.

Well, we made it back and forth to Minneapolis with no problems. I was thinking I would now tackle the frame welding myself. But after looking a little more this weekend and finding a little more rust further forward on the passenger side, I figured it is time to take it to a body shop for a look. I'll likely be doing that sometime this week.

I'll let you know what they say and how much $$$$ this is gonna cost.

**88pathoffroad** · Apr 11th, 2005, 03:44 AM

I'd take 'er to a car wash or use a rental or borrowed pressure washer to spray the everloving piss out of the rusty areas with lots of degreaser, etc...you'll get a much better look at what's going on that way...