Author Topic: bent underside of subframe cross member  (Read 14539 times)

My68SS

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bent underside of subframe cross member
« on: May 15, 2015, 01:52:50 PM »
Hi all, seems like a lot of Camaro's suffered from bent in steel on the underside of the cross member from being jacked up in the middle [fore-aft] of the cross member, or being heavily bottomed out over road dips.
At least I haven't seen a un-restored flat bottom Camaro subframe cross member yet!

Any tips/tricks to getting this straight again? or is it just a case of trimming that section off with a cut-off wheel. pressing it straight then welding it back on, then grind and linish the weld.
Hate having to cut n weld things though.
Then again, it would give me a chance to clean up and treat the inside of the cross member.
Rob
1968 12C SS
L34/M40
12 bolt posi 3.55

william

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Re: bent underside of subframe cross member
« Reply #1 on: May 15, 2015, 02:35:23 PM »
Have to agree with you. Very common to see that, even on otherwise well-restored cars.

It is not that difficult to remove the entire piece. Straighten it in a press, weld it back in place just as the factory did. If you have access to a shop with frame straightening equipment they can straighten it with out removal.
Learning more and more about less and less...

My68SS

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Re: bent underside of subframe cross member
« Reply #2 on: May 15, 2015, 03:20:13 PM »
If you have access to a shop with frame straightening equipment they can straighten it with out removal.
Do you know what technique they typically use?

Had looked into removing the whole piece - bit of welding to unpick.
Rob
1968 12C SS
L34/M40
12 bolt posi 3.55

william

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Re: bent underside of subframe cross member
« Reply #3 on: May 15, 2015, 08:20:59 PM »
Weld a hook to it and pull. Not as clean as pressing and requires finishing.
Learning more and more about less and less...

bcmiller

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Re: bent underside of subframe cross member
« Reply #4 on: May 15, 2015, 08:43:50 PM »
For now I am leaving the dents in mine.  Adds character.  :D
Bryon / 1968 Camaro SS 396 coupe - now old school 468 big block
1967 Camaro RS/SS 396 coupe L35/M40 - 4 generation family project
Looking for 68 Camaro with body # NOR 181016

ZLP955

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Re: bent underside of subframe cross member
« Reply #5 on: May 15, 2015, 10:45:44 PM »
Have a look over at TC. Al (user name 'BPOS') did this repair on his subframe, and also reinforced the area with box-section steel so it wouldn't bend again if he used the jack there.
Tim in Australia.
1969 04A Van Nuys Z/28. Cortez Silver, Dark Blue interior, VE3, Z21, Z23, D55/U17, D80, flat hood.
Sold at Clippinger Chevrolet in Covina, CA.
AHRA Formula Stock at Lions Dragstrip, NHRA E/MP at Pomona Raceway

1968RSZ28

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Re: bent underside of subframe cross member
« Reply #6 on: May 16, 2015, 12:38:10 AM »
Have a look over at TC. Al (user name 'BPOS') did this repair on his subframe, and also reinforced the area with box-section steel so it wouldn't bend again if he used the jack there.

http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=194530

Paul

ZLP955

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Re: bent underside of subframe cross member
« Reply #7 on: May 16, 2015, 02:51:08 AM »
That's not the thread I was thinking of, but now I see where his inspiration came from!
Tim in Australia.
1969 04A Van Nuys Z/28. Cortez Silver, Dark Blue interior, VE3, Z21, Z23, D55/U17, D80, flat hood.
Sold at Clippinger Chevrolet in Covina, CA.
AHRA Formula Stock at Lions Dragstrip, NHRA E/MP at Pomona Raceway

My68SS

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Re: bent underside of subframe cross member
« Reply #8 on: May 16, 2015, 01:58:29 PM »
Weld a hook to it and pull. Not as clean as pressing and requires finishing.

That's another technique I had considered.

For now I am leaving the dents in mine.  Adds character.  :D
bcm, I can totally relate to that. I drool harder over unrestored than restored  :)

Thanks for the input crew, I'll keep searching TC
Rob
1968 12C SS
L34/M40
12 bolt posi 3.55

bcmiller

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Re: bent underside of subframe cross member
« Reply #9 on: May 16, 2015, 02:02:33 PM »
He did a pretty good job on the body bushing frame repair too.  
Bryon / 1968 Camaro SS 396 coupe - now old school 468 big block
1967 Camaro RS/SS 396 coupe L35/M40 - 4 generation family project
Looking for 68 Camaro with body # NOR 181016

My68SS

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Re: bent underside of subframe cross member
« Reply #10 on: May 17, 2015, 03:27:55 PM »
He did a pretty good job on the body bushing frame repair too. 
Yeah, not just patched, but replicated.

Have a look over at TC. Al (user name 'BPOS') did this repair on his subframe, and also reinforced the area with box-section steel so it wouldn't bend again if he used the jack there.
Is this the thread?
http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=208703
Rob
1968 12C SS
L34/M40
12 bolt posi 3.55

68camaroz28

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Re: bent underside of subframe cross member
« Reply #11 on: May 18, 2015, 12:45:00 AM »
For now I am leaving the dents in mine.  Adds character.  :D
Come on Bryon! :)
Could not leave them in our 68 and they be gone now....

Chick
68 Z/28 NOR 01B Orig motor/trans/rear
69 Z/28 NOR 07A Orig Block & GM Cross-ram/carbs
69 L34 Rest. Nova Father/Son Car
69 L78 Surv Nova Purch 4/69 31K miles
67 L89 Corv Tribute
68 Corv 427/400 Orig motor
07 Corv Z06
R 68Z build- http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=182584

My68SS

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Re: bent underside of subframe cross member
« Reply #12 on: May 18, 2015, 01:29:50 AM »
For now I am leaving the dents in mine.  Adds character.  :D
Come on Bryon! :)
Could not leave them in our 68 and they be gone now....

:D Was waiting for a heckler to show up.
Which technique did you use to get yours straight?
Rob
1968 12C SS
L34/M40
12 bolt posi 3.55

68camaroz28

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Re: bent underside of subframe cross member
« Reply #13 on: May 18, 2015, 01:44:02 AM »
For now I am leaving the dents in mine.  Adds character.  :D
Come on Bryon! :)
Could not leave them in our 68 and they be gone now....

:D Was waiting for a heckler to show up.
Which technique did you use to get yours straight?

Heckler??????  :) Cut out and replaced but never plan to lift a car by that area again. Sometimes we forget just how long it takes to repair/restore all the mistakes/sins from back in the day. As William said just about every car has them to some degree. Old wool buffing wheels work great for placement between jack and sub-frame sides and the 4 lift points on a 2 post lift.
Chick
68 Z/28 NOR 01B Orig motor/trans/rear
69 Z/28 NOR 07A Orig Block & GM Cross-ram/carbs
69 L34 Rest. Nova Father/Son Car
69 L78 Surv Nova Purch 4/69 31K miles
67 L89 Corv Tribute
68 Corv 427/400 Orig motor
07 Corv Z06
R 68Z build- http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=182584

Ramjett54

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Re: bent underside of subframe cross member
« Reply #14 on: May 18, 2015, 02:30:14 AM »
AMD discontinued the new subframe assembly they used to offer, they told me that they had quality and fitment issues.
So I ask them if the could just offer a patch panel never got an answer
After reading this discussion, I wonder, should someone offer a patch panel?


 

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