WTH! CRACKED FRAME AT PS GEARBOX. Whats the fix. Check it out.

[Nasty-LSX]

I knew something was wrong and could not figure it out. I had someone turn the steering wheel left to right
ans seen the gearbox moving ALOT lol. Well there is my problem. I thought this happens only to 4WD trucks.

What was your fix if this happened to you?

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[rusted nuts]

I knew something was wrong and could not figure it out. I had someone turn the steering wheel left to right
ans seen the gearbox moving ALOT lol. Well there is my problem. I thought this happens only to 4WD trucks.

What was your fix if this happened to you?

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Yes has happen before,, Yes there is a fix,, Yes there is a brace, but I don't what they are,, Have just heard others talk about it, Someone will be along to help you.

 

[Rickf]

Try one of the vendors or LMC, welding may be involved.

 

[Snoots]

ORD has the complete fix.

 

[Mr Clean]

To fix it right, and I know you will. You'll need to grind the crack into a V on both sides. Weld it up. I used both methods to fix mine. I bought the brace from Auto Fab (make sure you get the one for 2wd) and I bought the weld on plates that weld to the frame from the side and bottom at the steering gear. I went to Ebay for my frame plates they were like 50 bucks IIR.

 

[RecklessWOT]

Very common unfortunately. The crack/cracks will need to be welded (grind down around it, find the ends of the crack and drill them out so they don't spread farther, sometimes even after welding they can reopen or come back, but if you drill a hole at each end now it's "contained" to that one section. Then they sell braces to strengthen that part of the frame so it doesn't happen again, and it kind of acts like a patch panel as well.

Whole bunch of different vendors sell them, get whichever one you like best. They sell super cheap no-name kits and some that cost a little more, but none are terribly expensive. Basically just a chunk of metal that is the right shape to fit.
After a quick google search for "GM steering box crack repair" I found a bunch, and some how to videos too.
Rough Country C/K10 steering box frame brace
I'd probably go with this one just because I've had good luck with RC and I trust them, but you can get some for like 20 bucks if you really want to do it as cheap as possible.

I've also heard good things about the AutoFab gusset kit. More expensive, but is more than just a repair that beefs up the frame. After you weld the cracks their product is supposed to support it in a different way to take stress off of that part of the frame, wouldn't be a horrible idea to add one to a truck that wasn't even cracked yet just as a preventative measure. Should need this one for your 2wd truck:
AutoFab kit

As far as I know the other style of repair plate I mentioned before makes no difference because it's simply a plate for the frame, not a support bracket so the different style steering shouldn't make much of a difference there.

I might even consider doing both if this ever happens to my truck. Sure couldn't hurt

 

[Bennyt]

In addition to the autofab braces which connect to the rear box bolts, I would also add the frame braces from Ridetech. They triangulate the front end and connect to the front steering box bolts.

And lastly, make sure the front crossmember rivets are tight and front bumper brackets.

I think the cracked 2wd frames is more common than we realize. Almost every frame I look at has some very minor hairline cracks. On mine, I inspected it very well, sandblasted and inspected it again before powdercoating and still didn't see anything, and then when installing the box, found a tiny cracked which I drilled out and welded.

 

[Zelph]

In addition to the weld in plates, off-road design has a bolt in triangulation brackets.

Bolt In Steering Box Brace for '73-91 GM 2WD Trucks

Bolt In Steering Box Brace for '73-91 GM 2WD Trucks The straight axle GM trucks are notorious for frame cracks in the steering box mounting area. This kit is designed to prevent that problem by eliminating the frame flex caused by increased steering load

www.offroaddesign.com

 

[snipepod]

On my 76 K5 restoration, I beefed up this area. The frame had slightly cracked on the previous owner, and he did a pretty good job welding the cracks closed. Since I had the access to this area, I went to the next level. I welded in the vertical support piece others have mentioned. I did not use the under frame piece since I did not have welded cracks down there. I also added the I beam that transvers that rocking force to the center of the front cross frame beam. Now the frame under the saginaw box should not see the abuse that the stock design was subject to. The cross beams that you see way up front I fabricated. There are three 2" receiver tubes. The middle one is for a 9000 Ramsey winch. The two outside ones will support a custom carrier yet to be designed. This is where my spare tire will reside. The back of the K5 is getting a popup Four-Wheel-Camper!

 

[Grit dog]

@snipepod
A new Blazer chalet? Cool!
Does FWC have a model that will integrate more like an old Chalet and not just a typical truck camper, or do you need to fab a clouds on the back of the cab.

 

[CalSgt]

ORD has the complete fix.

^^^^ This

I bought the Smitybilt brand patch plate for my K10 & opted not to add the brace. I may add the brace eventually, I kinda wish I would have went through ORD and bought both at the same time.

 

[MarineOne]

Drill hole at each end of crack Gouge and weld the Crack then plate it with a steering box reinforcement plate

 

[snipepod]

At the risk of getting off the steering box topic. To Grit Dog. The FWC is not a slide in like a C10 pickup would take. It does not include the floor section. Sits on the bed rails. Archway to the front passenger area is open. My conversion has the driver and passenger seats on a "lazy susan" rotary so I can face the seats backwards into the camper.

 

[1lejohn]

I installed the brace on mine. The frame is not cracked. I recommend doing the brace before connecting the hoses to the box . It is a tight fit under there. I like the tubed crossmembers for the hitch, winch etc.

 

[Nasty-LSX]

Ok so I got 3 items. Will be here tomorrow. I figure its a fast truck(but was not fun to drive) due to steering.
My original steering gear box was fine but had minimal play. I figured I might as well make it a performance
steering upgrade as well!

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