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E-Body front frame rail - Replace or Repair?

Posted By: 70ChallengerRTSE

E-Body front frame rail - Replace or Repair? - 11/18/12 02:36 AM

Both front frame rails rusted / cracked right where the rear k-from bolts in. It appears the damage was done mostly from some kind of an impact (cracked the rails) because there is not much rust showing and cracks can be seen running up the sides of the frame rails. The front left frame rail also has a slight dent / bend at the very front from an impact. There are signs the car may have been dragged raced at some point. WOnder if the front wheels were pulled off the ground and the front end slammed down hard if this would cause the rails to crack like this. Question is do I replace the rails or repair them? I'd prefer to replace them but concerned about getting alignment correct and repair seems like it would be much less work. I'll attach a few pics of the damage. The car is a 70 challenger RT SE 440 U-code.
Thanks

Attached picture 7466000-IMG_2260.jpg
Posted By: 70ChallengerRTSE

Re: E-Body front frame rail - Replace or Repair? - 11/18/12 02:38 AM

Another pic...

Attached picture 7466002-IMG_2266.jpg
Posted By: 70ChallengerRTSE

Re: E-Body front frame rail - Replace or Repair? - 11/18/12 02:39 AM

Pic of the front section. Damage (slight kink / bend can be seen towards the front).

Attached picture 7466005-IMG_2271.jpg
Posted By: 70ChallengerRTSE

Re: E-Body front frame rail - Replace or Repair? - 11/18/12 02:41 AM

CLose up of the kink in the front of the front left frame rail. The right frame rail appears straight.

Attached picture 7466008-IMG_2273.jpg
Posted By: 70VERT

Re: E-Body front frame rail - Replace or Repair? - 11/18/12 02:49 AM

I would cut out and replace and put in new innner fenders while you're at it. I did mine about a year ago, a lot of work, but when you're done you've got something you can trust
Posted By: flypaper

Re: E-Body front frame rail - Replace or Repair? - 11/18/12 03:39 AM

it could be fixed
but i would replace the whole rail myself.
thats alot of repairing needed in that area there...
Posted By: 70ChallengerRTSE

Re: E-Body front frame rail - Replace or Repair? - 11/18/12 02:27 PM

Thanks for the responses. Any good sites out there that show some good step by step replacement of front frame rails?
Posted By: BDW

Re: E-Body front frame rail - Replace or Repair? - 11/18/12 03:09 PM

"If I'd have known what a cluster this AMD part was going to be I
would've probably just patched up what is on the car instead of taking
the whole thing apart. Lesson learned."

Maybe good advice?
Posted By: GTX70sixpack

Re: E-Body front frame rail - Replace or Repair? - 11/18/12 03:52 PM

Since it needs both rails I would put a front clip in. Drill the welds out where the inner fenders meet the cowling/firewall and the frame rails all the way to the torsion bar crossmember. It is far less work to do it as a assembly. You can then swap out you radiator header panel to keep the vin.
Posted By: flypaper

Re: E-Body front frame rail - Replace or Repair? - 11/18/12 04:15 PM

Quote:

"If I'd have known what a cluster this AMD part was going to be I
would've probably just patched up what is on the car instead of taking
the whole thing apart. Lesson learned."

Maybe good advice?




it is real good advice..lol
replace it with original parts and you will have
less of a headache of making it fit together properly.


some amd fits real good,
and some amd fits not so good....
amd won't tell you this
they will lie right to your face about it....
they did to me for a long time until
i finally found someone honest there...

the only way to distinguish the good from bad
is by research or learning the hard way and wasting alot of time like i have..
Posted By: flypaper

Re: E-Body front frame rail - Replace or Repair? - 11/18/12 04:19 PM

Quote:

Since it needs both rails I would put a front clip in. Drill the welds out where the inner fenders meet the cowling/firewall and the frame rails all the way to the torsion bar crossmember. It is far less work to do it as a assembly. You can then swap out you radiator header panel to keep the vin.





it also saves most of the original spot welds that way
so the finished repair will have a better appearance..
Posted By: cudabitten

Re: E-Body front frame rail - Replace or Repair? - 11/18/12 04:38 PM

I would repair the area myself. The frame rails are pretty expensive, and the replacement seems like a lot of work. I did a similar repair a few months ago, you can check out this link.



https://plus.google.com/photos/100999535...COXEgJyxof6s1QE
Posted By: 70ChallengerRTSE

Re: E-Body front frame rail - Replace or Repair? - 11/18/12 05:17 PM

I like the idea of replacing the entire front clip in one piece. Only problem is where in the heck do I find a front clip off a challenger that is not rusted?
Posted By: moparmarks

Re: E-Body front frame rail - Replace or Repair? - 11/18/12 05:35 PM

Myself I would need to see the car first hand to make a solid call but if was my car and beings that is it a Code U RT/SE I would want to to it right for sure.
I would sure try to find another 70E front clip. Not a 71/2B-E clip. I wouldn't use the repro stuff but thats just me.
As stated there are many benifits to using an original one piece clip. Pretty simple change out actually.

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