QuestionI have a 2000 Chevrolet 2500 Pickup. The snowplow attachment and plowing snow with it caused the frame to crack on the front driver's side between the front axle and bumper. Can this crack be welded and is it legal to weld it?
AnswerHi Bob!....In the Province of Alberta in which I live and work, it is legal to weld a crack on a frame, and is safe, as long as it is welded correctly....Please check out your local State laws, to see if the same applies....Here, it is virtually no different to weld a cracked frame, as it is to section in a frame rail....Sectioning in a frame rail, requires an offset butt joint without an insert, or sleeve, or a butt joint with a sleeve or insert....Either way, the frame rail will have to be welded....A crack, or sectioning....If you are repairing this yourself, I would recommend using a Mig welder....The wire should be ES70-6, with a wire size of .023"....The proper gas to use is C-25....75 percent Argon, 25 percent CO2....This will give you the desired results....Please make sure before welding, that you relieve the pressure on the frame rail, using jacks, and more importantly, jack stands, or whatever is required, as so the crack comes together with no stress....Also, remember that safety is the first concern....Once this is completed, you can weld the crack back together....Penetration of the weld is of the utmost importance....What you can do to check for this, is to take 2 scrap pieces of the same thickness of metal, and do a test weld....Adjust your welder, as so you see a full and even bead of penetration from both the front and back sides evenly...After you are satisfied, you should be able to weld this with no problem....Hope I helped you out....If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask....Thanks....Dave
