Thread: Can I fix my front crossmember with JB Weld?

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I have a 65 chevy truck,and the original crossmember is fine except for the bottom where the metal is push in by a floor jack.At most its 3/16 of a inch deep ,across a 8"x8" square.How would I fix this ? I was thinking to fill it in weld JB weld ,and sand smooth,Will it last?I am also going to sand blast the crossmember for a good bond.

I guess not ,the metal needs to be pulled out so water can drain from inside cross member.How can it be pulled out?

Pictures would be very helpful if you can post some....

Damn! that is a thick piece of metal... If the weight of the truck on a floor jack did that, I'd be wondering if the thing was so rust-rotted that safety is an issue! The entire front crossmember assembly is unboltable on those trucks, and it may be worth finding a better one and changing it out.

A floor jack wouldn't do that. Some time in the past, someone has hit something hard with that truck. Check the rest of the frame for damage before you spend much time and money on it.

Sounds like someone nailed a great big rock with that crossmember??? As the Pope said, you probably want to do a bunch of measuring and checking to make sure the frame isn't tweaked somewhere....

you can also cut it out while leaving the lower a-arm pivot bolt holes in place...then welding in some round tube...it's an old drag-racer trick to lighten the front and allow easy access...mod can easily be done with engine in place

In a word ---NO---you can not repair any structural member with JB weld.-----JB weld is nothing but an epoxy filler with high metallic content.---it is like a metallic body filler. It can be used to fill/plug cracks and for cosmetic repairs, but never-never-never to replace the actual "welding" process. Look at JB weld as nothing more than a bodyfiller for metal.

JB weld = dried mud or silly putty.
lol just trying to give another example on what Brian said that's all.

Originally posted by brianrupnow
In a word ---NO---you can not repair any structural member with JB weld.-----JB weld is nothing but an epoxy filler with high metallic content.---it is like a metallic body filler. It can be used to fill/plug cracks and for cosmetic repairs, but never-never-never to replace the actual "welding" process. Look at JB weld as nothing more than a bodyfiller for metal.

Thats all I was going to use it for,a filler.

In that case, then yes, you could probably use it. Only thing is, that stuff is harder than the devils horn when it sets up. Make sure you smooth it to whatever surface you want while it is still wet, because once it dries I don't think it can be "worked" like conventional bodyfiller.

structurally, it is probably fine. Getting the frame checked for straight is a real good idea though, cause that must have been some lick to dent in that piece of steel.

If you are only intrested in dressing up the brace cosmetically, then the JB will do great.

Originally posted by brianrupnow
In that case, then yes, you could probably use it. Only thing is, that stuff is harder than the devils horn when it sets up. Make sure you smooth it to whatever surface you want while it is still wet, because once it dries I don't think it can be "worked" like conventional bodyfiller.

Brian, I am not sure what you mean by "The Devils Horn" but crikey it sounds HARD! I am sure Mrs Devil would be very pleased, if you know what I mean....
As for that sizeable dent mentioned in this thread, I certainly would be looking for further damage. (bending or rust) prior to covering up the evidence.

Andy.

Gherkin350----Thats not the horn I was talking about , and I have to agree, I think it is bad judgement to cover any structural member with a filler material. If it does rot through under the filler afterwards, you won't know it untill you're sliding down the asphalt at 90 miles an hour on the oilpan.

The area in question is on the bottom of the front crossmember.Over the years people have lifted the truck up by putting a floor jack underneath the center of the crossmember ,and over the years it has pushed in a little.The structure of the crossmember is still fine.Its over a space of 6-8 inch square.I doubt anything bad will come of leaving it like this ,its just anoying to look at ,because its not right.How could I pull it back out?

Pictures please. Pictures will help us help you.