Broken frame??

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TommyJ1980

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That is some impressive torque shear.
That doesnt look like the correct bolt for that.
Did you use a nut as a spacer?
I suspect that you used the wrong bolts in the holes and you hit your torque into the box and not in the frame.
That bolt is too long.
The hydrualic twist from the steering box being loose ripped the frame open.
Pull the box and check it for damage.
You can weld it back into place but you need to repair that loose box as well or it will happen again.
I’ll check it out but it’s the same bolt that came out right before I swapped out the new box, and to my knowledge it was original. Thanks for your thoughts.
 

TommyJ1980

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Question- do you think it would be safe to weld this with the gear box still in the compartment and moved back about an inch from the weld? I reused the pitman arm and I had a hell of a time getting it loose last time, and I’d rather not take that apart again if I don’t have to. The only welding I’ve done was about 8-9 years ago and it was gas welding, this will be with a small mig welder, but I’m going to get some practice in on welding scraps before I take it to the frame.
 

Moparmat2000

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I have a Lincoln weld pak 100 with a mig attachment. That should be sufficient if you run it on the high temp setting and notch out the cracks. I have shortened axle tubes, V notched and welded them. Welded on spring perches, motor mounts to K frames, etc with this thing, never had any issues with it. Honestly though, I would remove the steering box, and anything that would be in the way of getting a good torch angle to get a good weld. I'd rather do it one time well than to have to grind it back out in 6 months and do it over again.
 

Erik the Awful

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I reused the pitman arm and I had a hell of a time getting it loose last time, and I’d rather not take that apart again if I don’t have to.
If you already broke the pitman arm loose, it should be a lot easier the second time. Are you using a pitman arm puller?
 

TommyJ1980

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If you already broke the pitman arm loose, it should be a lot easier the second time. Are you using a pitman arm puller?
It was from the arm to the metal bar the connects to the tie rods that I had the problem. It probably would be easier the second time that's true. I ruined a pickle fork trying to get it loose last time, I don't know why it was stuck on so tightly. I even tried to use an air hammer with a fork attachment and it wouldn't touch it. New fork plus mallet is the only thing that worked after about the 1000th time.
 
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