Damn! Torque Boxes Cracked.......

[5.02GO]

Damn! Torque Boxes Cracked....... **PICS ADDED**

K dudes.......My torque boxes are cracked.


What the hell does this mean?

What the hell can i do?


I did do a VERY basic search on torque boxes but really didnt find what i need. I realize that i can do some welding, but what do i weld. I know i need to weld the crack up, but have read of people saying they "boxed" them in. What does this mean?


I can weld really well. Just need to know what TOO weld. Repair kit?


Thanks for the help... Pics would be nice

 

[5.0Droptop]

you can make or buy reinforcment plates and weld them in.
http://search.ebay.com/search/searc...ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=1&fsoo=1

 

[CBZGT50]

I was looking at the same box reenforcements as 50droptop today on ebay. Basically you will have to have some one weld in the new strips and that will mean removing your upper and lower control arms first. That alone can take 2-4 hours depending on your bolts. I just took my upper and lower CA's out two days ago and spent at least 4 hours on them. Good luck. Could be expensive if you don't weld.

CB

 

[RacEoHolic330]

I've heard that it isn't completely necessary to reinforce the upper torque boxes because the lowers are the ones that go through the most stress

 

[5.02GO]

I think the cracks were cause by my jackstands. I put jackstands on that flat piece just in front of the torque box.

Upper.........Lower control box.

I didnt realize there were 2 torque boxes. I assume the one i am talking about is the lower. You can plainly see underneath the car.

My car is a pure street car. It has never been to the strip.

What does the term "boxing" them in mean?

 

[Saleen8786]

 

[snoboardcore]

i dont no too much about welding them but i know that rick91gt sells torque box supports that bolt right into place.

 

[old_blue]

I am not entirely sure that you need to weld anything. If you have cracks from putting jack stands under them then you might be okay. Takes some pics so that we can see where the cracks are. Maybe there is no stress on the part you cracked compared to where the torque boxes normally crack. I have put jack stands almost every place you can think of and I have never had any issues of cracking. Where are you putting the jack stands to where they are cracking???

 

[Rick 91GT]

If you just cracked the sheetmetal there, weld the cracks up, just be careful it is all galvenized..

If the metal is pulling away from the seams then a re-enforcement kit will help get them back into shape and then you can reweld the stock seams. To prevent any damage you can also install a kit...

Boxing them in requires plates to be welded between the 2 frame rails in a small section under the stock box and under the first few inches on the control arm. I sell what I call anti-spread plates for that area along with the re-enforcement stainless steel lower kits.

 

[old_blue]

how much are your torque box reenforcements for upper and lower rick?

 

[5.02GO]

Okay guys, i'll go right now and try to get some descent pics.


Thanks for the help. I appreciate it.

 

[5.02GO]

well i was gonna post some photos but this thing aint working right now.

Try again tomorrow.

 

[5.02GO]

Here are the pics.

This is the drive side.




This one is the passenger side looking towards the rearend.


I know one thing, my control arm bushings are trashed. I looked really close at them when i took these pics. What started all this, was subframe connectors. I did a search on that to look and see what i needed/wanted. Looks like maximum motorsports or global west are the ones. Anyway, someone mention torque boxes on one of those threads. I then did a search on torque boxes and found where they were and what happends to them. Thats when i checked mine.

Thanks guys.

 

[5.0 Nostalgia]

If you can weld, I don't really see any problems with you being able to fix that. It doesn't look like they were pushed out of shape. As Rick noted, just be very careful with that area.

 

[Rick 91GT]

Yeah that first pictures is how they crack when they hav been stressed, the second one appears to be from stress while jacking.

Weld the cracks up, add a re-enforcement kit and you should be good. If you just weld the cracks they will most likely crack again or in a different place. Add a set of subframe connectors and jack from them!

 

[5.02GO]

Uh, they're not out of shape. They just have cracks. There is really no telling how long they have been that way. I am the second owner of that car. I have owned it for 11 years now.

Well, as far as repairs. Any suggestions? I am considering the UMI repair kit. And of corse, subframe connectors. Either maximum motorsports or global west. I am leaning towards global west right now.

Symptoms. Would i have had any noticable symptoms from the cracks? If so, what symptoms?

I appreciate the help guys.....thanks

 

[old_blue]

They don't look to be that bad at all. I would still put in battle boxes of some sort. The first could still also be from a jack depending on where they jacked it up at. better safe than sorry though. Mine aren't cracked but I am going to install some as a protective measure. That is if rick91gt gets back to my email I sent him.

 

[jrichker]

Drill a 1/8" hole on each end of the crack to stop in from spreading. Then have it welded. Stop drilling the cracks is an aviation trick that has been around as long as there have been metal airplanes.

 

[Rick 91GT]

Uh, they're not out of shape. They just have cracks.

Yeah they do not have to be out of shape to crack, it is all about the stress put into such a weak area, that first crack is identical to where they usually crack from stress.

Like mentioned above, drill a stop hole and weld them up, then pick a lower kit to make sure they stay is shape in the future.

 

[5.0 Nostalgia]

That's a great tip. I am putting that one in the vault. Thanks!

Do you drill the hole at the end of the crack or past it?