Cracked Frame Leading to Negative Spring Camber

[Jeep on Mars]

Hi all,

This will be my first post here. Happy to be sourcing the knowledge. I'll get right to it:

I've got a 1975 CJ5 with stock suspension (I think) that I'm replacing with Rocky Road Outfitters OME YJ 3-3.5" spring kit. I noticed during prep that the front-passenger side frame is cracked and causing the corresponding shackle mount to (for lack of a better description) create negative camber at that point (i.e. off-vertical). The RRO kit has it's own hangers that mount right on top of the old ones up front. When I mount those brackets, they are also slightly skewed.

Don't know how long it's been like this, how it happened, etc. There's no noticeable uneven tire wear, though - to be fair - I've put mostly off-road (but easy) miles on her. I bought her needing new leaf springs a couple years ago and am just now able to get to fixing them. I just installed new bushings. For sure, I plan to weld some bandages around those cracks.

My questions are:
1. Is this off-vertical camber acceptable? I'm thinking the bushings may suck up the difference, but I'm just guessing.
2. Should I risk cracking it more by bending it back, if I even can bend it? (On that note, any ideas about how to bend something like this?)

Anyone have any similar experience with a "less than perfect" shackle mount?

Thanks everyone.

PS apologies for the pics uploading sideways -- not sure why that's happening.

 

[Torxhead]

Welcome to the forum, Jeep on Mars. I think your cracks come from many years of frame flexing, and adding a high lift suspension will increase that frame flex. The later CJs have a full boxed in frame to help prevent the frame from coming apart, but with those 4" lift kits and stiff shocks, they still crack anyway. I have seen some guys who do box their frames in the older CJs also. I would suggest that you just keep on welding up cracks and go Jeeping as much as possible.

 

[Posi]

On my 69 the frame had a crack in the same location and the frame hanger was very noticeably bent inward because of the crack.

I repaired the crack by drilling a hole at the end of the crack then V'd out the crack. Before I welded it up I straighten out the frame hanger. I also boxed that section of frame for added support.

 

[Jeep on Mars]

Torxhead and Posi,

I'm actually pleased to hear those responses. It was in family with what I was hoping to do.

I'll box up the frame in that area after straightening it per your recipe, Posi.

Thanks for the advice you guys.

 

[Hedgehog]

Posi knows what he's doing so for the best results follow his advice. Clean as much paint off as you can, drill holes at the end of the cracks, "V" the cracks and weld it up. I'd do both sides of the steel. Welding in fish plates to box the frame can be tricky, especially with the body on the frame

 

[gert]

looks like your frame has already been welded a few times, might want to give the whole frame a good looking over

 

[Jeep on Mars]

Posi knows what he's doing so for the best results follow his advice. Clean as much paint off as you can, drill holes at the end of the cracks, "V" the cracks and weld it up. I'd do both sides of the steel. Welding in fish plates to box the frame can be tricky, especially with the body on the frame

Indeed, the boxing will be tricky. Got any photos of your work? I'll shore it at the least if I can't get in there with a fish plate. When I wrap this up, I'll post some photos here for closure.

looks like your frame has already been welded a few times, might want to give the whole frame a good looking over

Yessir -- first thing I did when I saw em. I'm sure that'll change in another year or so. But that's part of the fun as well!



And, for all you visual learners out there, I attached a photo depicting where to drill the holes. I pulled this from the FAA's AC 43.13-1B. Good info in there, even if it is focused on aircraft.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

WELCOME!
Not uncommon at all to see those cracks.
I've had to weld up a few on my '85, over the years.
Prep the area as Posi says, and have at it. If you don't weld, take it to a muffler shop.
LG

 

[Hedgehog]

Jeep on Mars - I haven't welded fish plates on my frame. I have cleaned and patched the poorly welded plates the PO did before I owned the CJ. In my experience on my '75 CJ5 frame steel will melt fairly easily, especially on an edge weld like an added side plate. Careful heat control is necessary, but difficult to accomplish well while laying under your jeep.

 

[73CJ]

I broke my first frame multiple times at three spring perches and decided to get a different frame.

I had trail master 4" lift springs. I am sure that's what caused it.

I boxed the entire length and a 1"-1/4" wide flat bar on the bottom between the center spring perches. I saw that on a stock CJ8 frame.

Also put soft YJ springs on and sway bars. Now it's ride is way better.

 

[Jeep on Mars]

Thanks for all the help everyone.

I ended up boxing the frame up front, drilled and "V"d the crack, and shored up the frame under the crack. See images.

Thanks for all the advice!