Front Shackle Hanger Bent

After fixing a crack in the frame and reinstalling my power steering, I noticed my front shackle hanger seems bent to the inside.

Sure enough, with a level and square I estimate it to be off by about 6-7 degrees.

The frame seemed square when I welded the crack together, so I am wondering if while welding reinforcement welds on the shackle, it heated up just enough to bend the inside.

I didn't take the weight off the frame when I welded that, so does that sound like it could have been the culprit?

Here are some images:





I ordered a new hanger Part # Omix-Ada 18270.04

I am going to see if I can clean everything up a bit first, undo some welds and see if I can bend the current hanger in place before I take it off completely.

Has anyone dealt with this?

Thanks

 

Should be easy enough to twist the frame horn back over. I'd try not to try and spread from the other side of the frame. Do you have a big tree you can drive up next to on that side and use a porta power to pull the lower side of the frame towards? If not that would be a quick easy fix for any decent frame shop.

If you can get some heavy plate you could weld up a collar to go around the frame horn to act like a big wrench. Provisions for a long piece of pipe attached to the plate collar would allow you stand at a distance with leverage on your side to essentially twist the horn back to true. That sure seems easy enough.

 

What about a pipe or bar in the shackle itself?

The real issue I think I have is that the lower part of frame C channel is bent. Not the entire frame horn. So, I think that with some heat I should be able to bend the lower part of the frame back down by a few degrees, opening the channel back up. Then I can weld in a reinforcement.

 

What ever works and what ever area is comprised. Focus on that specific area. You may crack the hanger off if you lever it off of it.

 

Ok thanks. I am going to keep looking at it to see what the best course of action is.

 

I would use heat, intense but localized (Oxy-Acetylene torch), since you already heated that area anyway. Then a pipe in the shackle mount should lever it back gently.

 

Ok Thanks!

Oxy-Acet is one thing I don't that, but maybe this is the project that forces me to get it! I used to have it, but moved and had to return the rented tanks.

I had old craftsman tips. Any reccomendations on good bang for the buck tips?

Thanks!

 

"Any reccomendations on good bang for the buck tips?"

I recently upgraded my O-A equipment. Found some great deals on Ebay, but watch out for cheap imports. I'd stay with a good name, like Smith, Victor, etc.

 

Yeah. silly me. If I want a relaxing afternoon I go out to gas weld whatever. Something soothing about watching that puddle roll around as you weld.
As Petel said, get the good stuff in the beginning and it should last for your lifetime.
I have a few good welding shops around here so good stuff is easy to find.

 

Haha, yeah. I can remember years ago replacing all the rocker panels on my Cherokee with a torch and brazing rods. It was fun and hard to mess up, which is probably why it was fun...

Anyway, I will look into gas setups. I am going to try to undo a couple welds and see if I can force it back into shape with minimal effort first. I looked at everything over and over and it could very well be that the frame horn is twisted just the slightest amount which is being exaggerated at the bottom of the shackle hanger. If that is the case, then I should just be able to grind out the weld from the cross member and steel used to box the frame in to allow movement. Then apply some torque in the right direction with a big pipe wrench or similar on the frame while everything is unweighted.

Fingers crossed.

Thanks again for all the help! I will keep you all posted.