frame flex at steering box mount

[MBF]

Took my 49 in for an alignment today. It was right on the way I had it, but I found I have a bad bias ply tire that is coming apart causing part of the problem. The tech said the left frame rail was flexing near the steering box mount when rocking the steering wheel back and forth. I know in later years they changed the design of the way the box mounts to the framerail, and the front bracing. I did see a larger truck with the ring type brace around the steering box sector shaft casting. Did they make these for the 1 tons? Has anyone hear had to deal with this issue? Nothing is broken or cracked. He suggested fishplating, but that's not my first choice. Mike

[Dave72dt]

You'll need to either brace the box or stiffen the frame. Because an exterior fishplate looks like a cobble job, I'd box the sections of frame ahead of and behind the box to an existing crossmember. A HD exhaust clamp and a piece of heavy strap iron may work for a brace also.