Bent frame, need suggestions please

Hat Trick

So I get everything off the back and find the back part of the frame is bent. It drove fine before the teardown, but if I'm shelling out 3 thousand putting this thing back together I want it to be right. It doesn't seem like it would that big of an issue, but then again I have no experience in this stuff. Can I get some suggestions please?





Thanks!

BGW

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scottyb

Typical..... I can't see with all that dirt but my guess is you have some cracked welds where that attaches too. Clean it up, then clean it up some more and take it to a good mig or tig welder for repairs.... Check the front welds where the big rod goes through all the frame members too, we have done it many times.

Hat Trick

Yeah, its a dirty SOB underneath this thing. That was going to be the next thing I did was to get it cleaned up. I didn't check for cracked welds, but I will tomorrow. If it's not cracked is there anything else I can do? How much would the repairs be at a shop, estimate?

TahoeDawgZ71

Not only does it appear that you have some broken welds but the crossbar is bent pretty badly as well... Here's an easy fix.... Take a hack saw and notch a "V" in the crossbar where the hole is. I'm referring to the hole on the driver's side where the body mounts down to the crossbar... Cut the "V" all the way back to where the 90 degree bend is. Then, take a bottle jack or a porta-power and press it back towards the rear of the car until it's straight. It will bend very easily with the "V" cut into it.... After you get it straight the broken welds on the side of the crossbar should fit exactly where they broke from.... Clamp it with a welders clamp in the spot that it broke away from... DO NOT GRIND THE OLD WELDS... you'll never be able to tell the exact position that it broke away from if you do... Assuming you have a welder, re-weld it back onto the main frame.... Then, take a piece of flat steel and clamp it directly under where you notched the "V". The reason for the steel is to keep the aluminum from dripping when you weld the "V" back closed. Grind the weld down smooth and re-drill a 1/4" hole where the original was located. It'll be as good as new.

Hat Trick

My dad has an arc welder and could do this for me, but is that too hot for aluminum?

scottyb

Aluminum needs a mig or tig welder ......

Hat Trick

Ok, My wife is an office manager at an auto body shop. I think I'll start there. Thanks fellas.

golfcarfixer

Thats an easy fix,Just put a chain hook on it and connect it to something solid and push the cart forward with some might 2 or 3 times till it straightens out as I have probably done a hundred of them. It comes from rear end bumps from golf course idiots ramming the carts.

Hat Trick

This is what I wanted to hear! I really don't think there are weld breaks, but like mentioned before it's so dang dirty you'd never see them. My fears with this cart were defintely brought out today, but I can do nothing but move on and work with what I have. She's going to be a thing of beauty when I'm done and such a sense of accompishment.

thanks!