Cracked Chassis

[Tiny]

from a friend, has any one heard, or have any suggestions?

We have a almost 10 year old Jackaroo. Just before its current service we noticed a intermitant clunking noice comming from the front of the car. When the mechanic checked it out he found the chasis was cracked arround the stearing box mounts. We have not done any serious 4x4 for 5 years and about the most offroad work it has done in that time has been council carparks. Any idea of the cause? Any suggestions about how to avoid going forward? Is this a sign that it is time for the car to move on to a new home?

[jessie928]

gut the cracks out a tiny bit with a 1mm cutting disk
fillet weld the cracks fully taking care to weld past where the cracks finish, and then plate the cracks with full pieces of sheet steel or smaller multiple plates.

just keep an eye on it, if it lasted 10 years, it will last another 10 with the plates.

Also, be aware that the area immediatly around the cracks will be hardedned aswell due to the inherrent movement that caused the cracks in the first place, hence the need to plate the affected area.

it may be a design fault, maybe something in your steering is bent placing strain on the steering box causing it to flex.

Jes

[Tiny]

thanks, sounds fair to me, will pass the info on

[bazzle]

Unfortunately Ive seen a few broken around the front body mount area too.

Ensure you look there too. Rewelding seems to do the trick.

Bazzle

[Tiny]

Unfortunately Ive seen a few broken around the front body mount area too.

Ensure you look there too. Rewelding seems to do the trick.

Bazzle

Thanks Bazzle, always an educated comment

[bradley]

jump on exploreoz and search there, one of the guys in NZ had similar on his jack and found there was actually a recall overseas on some models due to it , no recall here though He got his repaired under warranty at GM,s cost. .

But even at your cost it isnt too hard to fix up with doublers and gussets as others have said.

cheers

[Utemad]

I was going to mention this but I looked at the recall notice and it was about chassis cracks around the suspension.

I saved the pdf file of the recall notice if anyone wants a copy.

[dr who?]

ahh this sounds like the problem i have, only occasionaly during heavy roundabout cornering, id get a thump from the from the front passenger side, plus ive broken 3 steering rods last year on that side, while not doing anything partcually hard, my other mates have put their rigs through heaps more and have never even bent one!!
hmm if my rig wasnt on the otherside of the world i would go and chech it out!!!!
but ill put my brother on to it