Steering gear mount fracture?

[ABachar]

Well this is my first true test as a first gen owner. What I assume to be the steering gear that mounts to the chassis has worked a serious stress fracture around its mounts. Is it possible to remove the steering gear and weld two plates on each side of the chassis, or am I (or my truck) in for it? Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Ive attached pics of the fractures. Sorry the pics are a little blurry. I just noticed it tonight as I was backing out of work. Thanks in advance.

A

 

[Nate]

I'd drill the ends of the cracks, V out the cracks with a grinder and weld them up. Then I would put a plate on at least one side, if not both, extending it as far down the frame rail as possible.



It's a fairly common problem on older Chevys for some reason never seen a Dodge to that.

 

[DVolk]

steering gear frame repair

Yes its common on the dodges , mine done so

yes you can weld on both sides of the frame , its best thogh to only add a peice on the out side on the bottom of the frame so it dont space out the gear box , then weld a peice of flat bar on top of the frame and the bottom



i also recomend to weld up all the other holes in that area and build the area up only leave the holes needed



once thats done go buy about 3 feet of plastic coated cabel and a strong turn buckel and 4 to 6 cabel clamps a eye bolt and a threaded chain link



make an eye in the cabel and clamp , then run it over the front of your box nd frame then then at the other end of cabel put the turn buckel on it



then on the passenger side of the frame install the eye bolt ,connect turn buckel via chain link and tighten it up tight enough to play a tune



i can e-mail pics of it if you like

 

[ABachar]

Alright guys. Thank you. Sounds managable. I would love to see those pics of the turn buckle/cable clamp setup. My email is -- email address removed --.

 

[AKimmel]

here's a link where this was discused before. There are some pictures.



http://turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=161489

 

[DVolk]

steering gear box

if i dont get you a pic ,remind me via e-mail

 

[MMiller]

Your'c cracked because it has crossover steering on the 4X4. Whenever a crossover is installed on an old dodge the frame needs to be beefed up. I found four spacers or bosses that the hole was large enough for the bolts to pass through. I welded them to the backside of the frame were the bolts pass through. I found four longer bolts, bolted the steering box on with the spacers and welded around the spacers. Then I pulled the box off, and made a plate that would fit tightly in the frame, and up tight against the spacers. I then bolted the plate and the box up, and welded the plate to the frame on the top and bottom. Effectivly I boxed the frame. With some good grade 8 bolts heavy flat washers and a little locktight I installed the box for the final time.



I did not have any cracks to deal with, as I did this before final installation. I too would recommend drilling a small hole at the end of every crack, 'v' notching the cracks with a grinder, and weld them up, and grind them smooth. Then box the frame in some sort of fashion, maybe like I did.



Michael

 

[ABachar]

I have come to the conclusion that welding it up myself will not be an option. Not enough experience and with such a high stress area I dont want to take a chance. Great tips, they will all be printed out and mulled over. Will post pics when we are done.

 

[DVolk]

steering gear frame repair

The reason is not because of cross over steering gear , you need to

check closer its not a cross over read any 4x4 mag to see the diffrence



its a flaw design and according to sevral Dodge dealers this has happended

on both 2wd or 4wd vehicles with stock tires and wheels or big mud luggers



but then yet ive seen lifted trucks with 44's and 350K with out ever been touched or needed fixed or braceed , go figure

 

[MMiller]

The reason is not because of cross over steering gear , you need to

check closer its not a cross over read any 4x4 mag to see the diffrence

Well its a 4X4 truck as it has leaf springs, and the pitman arm is swinging side, not front to back like stock, so its crossover steering. My 4X4 that is stock would break the plate between the steering box and frame, not the frame. The plate that is not on this 4X4. I have two trucks, one with each setup. I even have a 75 dodge that my crossover setup was on, and it cracked just like his did, and it wasn't from the 20 years previous stock setup that cracked the frame, it was from the 2years of wheeling with crossover steering. The steering gear box when setup on the frame for crossover really twists the frame as its pushing side to side, not front to back. As for reading 4X4 mags, I've got years of Peterson's laying all over this house.

its a flaw design and according to sevral Dodge dealers this has happended

on both 2wd or 4wd vehicles with stock tires and wheels or big mud luggers

I'll agree with this to an extent. Not necessarily a flaw, just not built heavy enough for aggressive terrain. I only had problems with my stock setup when I hit something hard, like a large hole offroad. On the street, normal driving, no problem. Just when I abused the equipment.

but then yet ive seen lifted trucks with 44's and 350K with out ever been touched or needed fixed or braceed , go figure

Even since I put the updated plate on my stock truck, I've had no more problems. Dodge changed the plate for a stock 4x4 many times. Then again I've quit wheeling my 93, it pulls the trailer, and is my nice truck. I won't comment on 2wd as I've never owned one or had to fix one.



So far, since I upgraded the frame on my 90, even with crossover I have had no problems with it either. I do remember very distinctly when I had a friend steer my truck with crossover, the stock frame(without support) would flex when the steering box would meet resistance.



Michael