Welding Tips and Tricks

Simple fix.

3hrs work.

Looks like that thing has seen a rough life!

Nice fix. I like those kinds of jobs.

Is it just me - but we have posts with advice on light weight trailer repairs ranging from buy a new one / scrap it / replace everything metal where there is minimal localized damage to a part - to this bracket that appears to be a spiders web of fatigue cracks & it holds on the steering box of a truck ! - I'm sure you made a sound repair - but it seems kinda conflicting views on safety - unless this is strictly a " res ride " ? ( not a dig at the OP - just an observation if this truck is used on a public highway )

This was welded 10 years ago by a friend of mine.
He used a 115v mig.

This repair will hold.

~John

OK - I never doubted your judgement on it - but generally steering related components are quite important ! - 115volt Mig is not the preferred method ! ( and that appears to be a 1 ton so it's likely to get worked ) especially as some domestic trucks were renowned for steering box issues - I'm not good enough to recognize the model from what's showing - we don't see too many full size trucks in the UK - mostly compact imports - though I still have an old F350 - diff seems to be the other side so it's gotta be Dodge / Chevy - I'm struggling with the bit of grill that shows - best guess late 80's ram ( 3500 ) how close am I ?

Noddy,
It is a 92 dodge 2500.
Cannonball bed on it.

The guy noticed his steering was getting spongy, and looked down there, and the gearbox was swinging there.

It has been up too 55 mph, with a load of hay.

John

Oh well I was'nt a mile off - figured it a 1ton with 8 lug nuts - guess Dodge use them on a 3/4 as well ( or do they make a weird 3/4 ton HD kinda between a standard 2500 & the 3500 ) - don't want to start a conflict as we already don't agree on 6013 - but I'm a FORD guy ! the Cummins does suit farmers though - it sounds like a tractor ! - there are actually a few tractors around here with B series engines in.

How many lanes does a truck need to change on it's own before you should check the steering play ? - my Toyota has a minor wander ! guess the lift & 35's don't help any ! - much better though since I added a parallel flow steering ram on the axle.

This reminds me of a similar repair I had to do on my truck. (1988 GMC K3500 1ton 4wd)
Mine was on the other side of the steering though. My steering box bracket held fine but
my idler arm froze up and the steering box pulled it off the frame ripping the mounting bolts
right through the frame! I made some crush tubes to go through the frame and they were welded
to both sides of the frame with a 3/8" stiffening plate added to the outside of the frame.
Some tough ass grade 8 bolts from Fastenal and the old beast was back in business.
We did take the time to inspect the steering box side for any damage also. If it's got enough force to
damage one side it must, at least, have the potential to screw up the other side too!

Glad you were able to make that repair. No steering can be hazardous to one's health!

Yea - no steering sucks big time ! - I only broke the ball joint off both knuckles - one drag link - two track rods & one steering arm before fitting the hydraulic ram ! plus lighter foot foot on the skinny pedal helps ! but it has taught me that most of the steering parts from a 6cylinder Land Cruiser can be adapted to work on the pick up scoring a heavier track rod and ball joints - now the ram takes the worst of the strain off the steering box so I've not broke anything lately - happy to say when bits did break it was at low speed - but still worrying !

That tab on the corner had been broken for a while.
Already rusted.
There was a little play in the steering, But two of the bolts were still holding.
Went to change snow tires, and noticed it broken off.

Best,
~John

BTW,

These are the 2 best products on the market.

IMVHO

I haven't used the CAT brand anti-sieze, but I agree on the Kroil... That stuff works better than any other pentrating oil I've tried.

At work, someone commented on the slogan, "The oil that creeps", and asked if that made me, "The creep that oils...."

Steve S