Posted By: Wirenut
A BODY REAR FRAME RAIL REPLACEMENT/REPAIR - 12/28/18 06:46 PM
Hi All,
I'm in the process of replacing a 24" or so section of rear frame. This is from the rear bumper bracket/tail panel forward. I have cut out the old section and am preparing to cut the replacement section from a rust free donor rail. I am thinking what I will do is fab up 3 pieces of 1/4" steel that I would weld into the inside 3 walls of the car frame, there would be a couple of three inches sticking out of the frame. I would weld these through 3/8" holes drilled through the car frame. Then. Drill like holes in the replacement section . Fit the replacement section over the 1/4" steel and butting the two frames together, align all properly with a jig, weld through the 3/8" holes of the replacement section , then butt weld the replacement section to the car frame stub.
My thinking is the 1/4" plates will help with alignment and allow a better weld penetration. Hope I have explained this in an understandable way. Am I missing anything? Or creating a problem going forward? The trunk floor replacement after this will be another post.
Thanks for looking.
I'm in the process of replacing a 24" or so section of rear frame. This is from the rear bumper bracket/tail panel forward. I have cut out the old section and am preparing to cut the replacement section from a rust free donor rail. I am thinking what I will do is fab up 3 pieces of 1/4" steel that I would weld into the inside 3 walls of the car frame, there would be a couple of three inches sticking out of the frame. I would weld these through 3/8" holes drilled through the car frame. Then. Drill like holes in the replacement section . Fit the replacement section over the 1/4" steel and butting the two frames together, align all properly with a jig, weld through the 3/8" holes of the replacement section , then butt weld the replacement section to the car frame stub.
My thinking is the 1/4" plates will help with alignment and allow a better weld penetration. Hope I have explained this in an understandable way. Am I missing anything? Or creating a problem going forward? The trunk floor replacement after this will be another post.
Thanks for looking.