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Posted by Paul (in NY) on Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 12:10:42 :
In Reply to: Crossmember repair posted by Desoto61 on Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 11:35:50 :
Structural Integrity, is the big question, without seeing the cross member. If its really lost its integrity, it needs rehabilitation of some type. I am not a fan of welding steel over thin rusted steel as a repair. Its difficult to know where the good steel starts, and you have to get back to good steel. Then you always have rust under the new work.
I would suggest making a new cross member...Yes, Making it anew. You mention welding the old, so you must have a welder that can handle 3/16" steel plate. Use the old cross member as a pattern. The new cross member does not have to have the stamped flosing curves like the original. You only need 4 pieces of 3/16" plate, two sides fore and aft, a top and a bottom. Make a pattern out of heavy cardboard and tape her together. Make the pattern fit perfect. Then you have full size working patterns for the 4 pieces.
If you dont have Oxy/Fuel Gas or Plasma, you can take the 4 pattern pieces to the steel yard and have the cut it for you. Bring it home, use rust preventative inside the new cross member, put the pieces in place, tack weld them, true it all up, check check check and weld her up. I would use grade 8 bolts to fasten her in position, forget the rivets.
Now you have a real repair, a repair that will last your lifetime and your kids life time.
If you want a easy way to remove the rivets, I can send you some directions how I always do them. Its quick, and gets it done.
Many years ago, I bought a rolling frame where the previous owner did just what I describe. He did a good job. I ended up not using the frame, but I would have never worried about that cross member.
Paul
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