Need advice repairing cracks in shock tower. Pics inside

[Z06vet]

I have cleaned the area up and removed the powdercoat from surrounding areas. I was planning on drilling out the end of the crack, but after closer inspection it appears its right on the seem of the main frame rail & shock tower plate. The insides were never welded, just the outside. I plan on beveling the edges and adding weld to the backside. Any input is appreciated. Only want to do this once. I do realize the tower needs to be leaned back to the original location. Scott

[andrewb70]

Looks like an aftermarket subframe...little disturbing...

I would add additional braces in the center and have them overlap all the way down the side of the frame rail.

Andrew

[Z06vet]

Yes, its an old wayne due subframe. I can't fit anything in the middle, as the coil over fills the entire cavity. Had the inside been welded initially it probably would have been fine. I cleaned it up pretty well. Removed some of the old weld to get a clean start. Getting it back into its original position has proved harder that I expected. May be a 2 person job. Thanks for your input. Scott

[andrewb70]

Scott,

Can you add something on the other side of the upper control arm mount?

Andrew

[j-c-c]

Looks like an aftermarket subframe...little disturbing...

I would add additional braces in the center and have them overlap all the way down the side of the frame rail.

Andrew

I agree, and IMO, adding an inside proper weld, it will still have the same stress concentration, adding another gusset or boxing, or increasinng the effective depth of the current gusset, will offer the best improvement.

[Rod]

use a spreader (hydraulic jack) to push the tower back to position could use a little heat on the base to move it with less force and then add a gusset from mid-way up the tower to mid-way down the frame to distribute the forces better

[Z06vet]

I have a large ratchet strap on it now. I heated the base & pulled it in slightly while working the ratchet with my foot. I think I am going to add a plate to each side, to the outside of the tower & down the frame rail. The coil over is very tight and fills up most of the inside of the tower. Would it be correct to also bevel the edges of the new plates before welding? Scott

[Z06vet]

I found a pic of a wayne due subframe, and it has a tubular bar running from the motor stand to the backside of the shock tower. Obviously this will require pulling the motor. I'm not going that far, but at least in the future I can add it. On a side note, this pic also shows the coil overs mounted upside down, whick would allow mw to access the shock setting dial MUCH easier. Any negatives with flipping mine upside down?
Scott

http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=9831