My78truck
'Ol Holly
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2019
- Posts
- 307
- Reaction score
- 260
- Location
- Virginia
- First Name
- Becky
- Truck Year
- 1978
- Truck Model
- C10 Silverado
- Engine Size
- 5.7L
Hello -
I have a 1978 C10. I have had no problems with suspension, frame or steering. I went to get it inspected the other day at a local shop I have patronized before for both service work and inspections. The owner of the shop came to me and said he had some bad news. What "alerted" him is that he "heard a pop" when they were pulling it into the shop. Now shops, on a normal day, are far from being quiet and I would think that "pop" would have to have been fairly loud. He said my frame was cracked at the steering box. My heart sank and I was devastated. He took me out to the bay and using a creeper I rolled up under the front of the truck. His shop person was in the cab and started rocking the steering wheel (with engine off) back and forth. Using a light he was trying to show me that the frame was cracked. I could not see any cracks but what I did see was the cross member moving back and forth across the frame probably a good 1/2 to 3/4 inch. The steering box was not moving, just the cross member. I just could not appreciate the fact that the frame was cracked. I don't have over sized tires, I have not gone off road, stump jumped, crawled hit any major potholes or done anything that would cause stress to that area. The mechanic even said, he was surprised because he would not expect it on this truck due to having normal size tires.
Now I had to find a frame shop, because he could not do the job and come up with some big money. But something in my gut said the frame wasn't cracked because of the movement of the left to right movement of the cross member and NOT any flexing of the frame or movement of the steering box. I have a very mechanically knowledgeable friend that I ask to come and look at this issue. He stated that he was very certain that the frame was not cracked but agreed the cross member had movement - left to right. The original rivet was removed, holed drilled to 7/16 and a grade 8 bolt with locking nut was put back in place. The amount of movement is substantially less, down to less that 1/4 inch.
But, he doesn't know if there is always some natural movement left to right since the 2 pieces (frame and cross member) are not welded. Can anyone tell me if a small amount of movement when the steering wheel is rock (with engine off) is normal? Maybe roll up under your truck and have someone rock the steering wheel, with the engine off, and tell me if YOU have movement. We have since decided that all the rivets are going to be removed and grade 8s put back in their places.
Thanks
I have a 1978 C10. I have had no problems with suspension, frame or steering. I went to get it inspected the other day at a local shop I have patronized before for both service work and inspections. The owner of the shop came to me and said he had some bad news. What "alerted" him is that he "heard a pop" when they were pulling it into the shop. Now shops, on a normal day, are far from being quiet and I would think that "pop" would have to have been fairly loud. He said my frame was cracked at the steering box. My heart sank and I was devastated. He took me out to the bay and using a creeper I rolled up under the front of the truck. His shop person was in the cab and started rocking the steering wheel (with engine off) back and forth. Using a light he was trying to show me that the frame was cracked. I could not see any cracks but what I did see was the cross member moving back and forth across the frame probably a good 1/2 to 3/4 inch. The steering box was not moving, just the cross member. I just could not appreciate the fact that the frame was cracked. I don't have over sized tires, I have not gone off road, stump jumped, crawled hit any major potholes or done anything that would cause stress to that area. The mechanic even said, he was surprised because he would not expect it on this truck due to having normal size tires.
Now I had to find a frame shop, because he could not do the job and come up with some big money. But something in my gut said the frame wasn't cracked because of the movement of the left to right movement of the cross member and NOT any flexing of the frame or movement of the steering box. I have a very mechanically knowledgeable friend that I ask to come and look at this issue. He stated that he was very certain that the frame was not cracked but agreed the cross member had movement - left to right. The original rivet was removed, holed drilled to 7/16 and a grade 8 bolt with locking nut was put back in place. The amount of movement is substantially less, down to less that 1/4 inch.
But, he doesn't know if there is always some natural movement left to right since the 2 pieces (frame and cross member) are not welded. Can anyone tell me if a small amount of movement when the steering wheel is rock (with engine off) is normal? Maybe roll up under your truck and have someone rock the steering wheel, with the engine off, and tell me if YOU have movement. We have since decided that all the rivets are going to be removed and grade 8s put back in their places.
Thanks
