Just got started on my sons birthday gift...a 1985 restoration. The car was making a loud popping/creaking sounds around corners. Come to find the frame is cracked in two seperate locations directly behind the steering box. This is causing the sway brace to slide back and forth in the bushings as well as when the wheel is turned hard the frame flexes. Seems this has happened before since there is a weld in place, the cracks are new. Both are 3 inches long, with one going over the top of the frame. Question is can this be welded again? Is this something anyone has run into before and can give advice. Any help would be appreciated...thanks

 

Yes it can be welded again. Welding to a weld should not be a problem as long as rust in not an issue.If I get a chance I will do some research. This was not a common issue when that car where new although we saw it in a few cars that where involved with wrecks. In 88 Pontiac had to recall some of there top end Firebird, they where cracking and tearing the frame as you described. I was told at the time that the combination of larger tires and closer ratio gear box that caused the issue. I inquired cause I did not know why the camaro was not recalled. I was told the Camaro was not equiped with that gear box.

The reason I am telling you this is because the recall kit had a support plate that went on the other side of the frame. It was just a plate with some holes in it. It should fit a Camaro if you can find one. It would be pretty easy to fab up if you can't. So get it welded up and add the support and it should never bother you again.

 

Might also want to check on a wonder bar. it connects to the sway bar mounts. Might help. Check out Global West online for it.
http://www.globalwest.net/1982-02_Ca...Home_page..htm

 

The correct GMterm is "Steering Box Support " and was installed on IROCCamaros with close ratio steering boxes and the then new 16x8 wheels & 245/50/16 to strengthen that area. The name "Wonder bar" came about because people wondered what it was for.

 

hmm.... is that bar necessary when you use those wheels or was it just something GM did?

 

GM knew they had a problem in that area and did a bandaid fix on certain 3rd Gen models with the "Steering Box Support". If you do not have this brace it is a good upgrade but it is not handling item as some people claim.

 

Appreciate the help on this! I found a guy that would do the welding and fabrication for me. Costing me a case of Corona so not going to complain. It doesn't appear that this car had any front end damage, and the previous owner doesn't know of any either. Only paid a hundred bucks for it, and it runs fine, so guess I can't really complain. Body is also in pretty decent shape (no rust), needs a total interior gutting and paint.

Once again thanks all for the help....