Frame Questions

[BIGBAND39]

After crawling under my '53 Meadowbrook, I find myself concerned with the frame even before I get to my inner and outer rockers (even though I can't find inners anywhere). Along the entire length of the frame on both sides, should the underside have a seam that almost seems to be spot welded? If I jack the car up with the jack putting pressure on the seam, it almost seems to give a little. I know this is difficult to envision without pics, but I figured I would start by asking. Thanks for the info!

Edited January 28, 2013 by BIGBAND39

[Plymouthy Adams]

yep..!!!

 

if it is flexing you need to check it close..

Edited January 28, 2013 by Tim Adams

[Andydodge]

The frames are made up of 2 pieces of stamped C channel, an inner and outer that are welded top & bottom along their length..........I am curious as to what sort of jack you are using, ie, is it a "bottle" type jack with a relatively small jacking point, ie, say 1-1.5 inches in diameter?..........or is it a "floor" type jack with a hydraulic sissor action which generally have a wider, say 2-3" jacking point?..........The reason I ask is that the smaller jacking point would possibily place extra pressure on the centre of the frame and maybe bend or push it in.........whereas the wider face of the floor jack may tend to spread the load............this is all hypothetical.......and from 12,000 miles away but all bets might be off if the frame is rusted inside.............on both my 1940 Dodge and 1941 Plymouth I've never used a bottle type jack with the small(1-1.5") head without placing a piece of timber to cushion and /or spread the load between the top of the jack and the chassis/frame.......in fact even when I use either of the floor jacks I have I normally still use a small piece of timber...........the only time I would use any jack without a piece of timber is if the jack head is hard against a lower suspension arm or maybe under the centre of a rear spring.............whilst chassis were generally quite sturdy they are still only about 1/8th in thickness............but as I said, all bets could be off if the frames rusted out inside.....I 'd check that 1st............lol.............regards, andyd     

[DJ194950]

The frames are made up of 2 pieces of stamped C channel, an inner and outer that are welded top & bottom along their length..........I am curious as to what sort of jack you are using, ie, is it a "bottle" type jack with a relatively small jacking point, ie, say 1-1.5 inches in diameter?..........or is it a "floor" type jack with a hydraulic sissor action which generally have a wider, say 2-3" jacking point?..........The reason I ask is that the smaller jacking point would possibily place extra pressure on the centre of the frame and maybe bend or push it in.........whereas the wider face of the floor jack may tend to spread the load............this is all hypothetical.......and from 12,000 miles away but all bets might be off if the frame is rusted inside.............on both my 1940 Dodge and 1941 Plymouth I've never used a bottle type jack with the small(1-1.5") head without placing a piece of timber to cushion and /or spread the load between the top of the jack and the chassis/frame.......in fact even when I use either of the floor jacks I have I normally still use a small piece of timber...........the only time I would use any jack without a piece of timber is if the jack head is hard against a lower suspension arm or maybe under the centre of a rear spring.............whilst chassis were generally quite sturdy they are still only about 1/8th in thickness............but as I said, all bets could be off if the frames rusted out inside.....I 'd check that 1st............lol.............regards, andyd     

 

 

!00% agree with Andy!

 

Doug

[BobT-47P15]

   X3 on above comments

[Niel Hoback]

   Andy knows. I even use a 6" piece of 2x6 between my jack and the frame.

[Young Ed]

Wow I only use wood if I need more height out of the jack. I use Dads high lift at his place or a floor jack and have no problem putting it directly under the frame or a suspension piece. Typically this jack would be under the bumper brackets but as you can tell that wasn't possible at the moment. 

 

[Plymouthy Adams]

nice jack Ed...I had the opportunity to grab one of these jacks...everytime I see one now I kick my own butt..

[Young Ed]

nice jack Ed...I had the opportunity to grab one of these jacks...everytime I see one now I kick my own butt..

 

Thanks Tim. Dad said when we bought that jack new all his buddys made fun of him for spending so much on a jack. 40 years later we are still using it.

[Thumbtack]

Please DO NOT get under anothing not being supported properly! Esp with that style jack. When I was little I had a scary lesson with one. Dad was finishing swapping out an engine in the 76 Cordoba. The air pressure dropped and Dang near crushed dad. Taught him one too! Glad we can chuckle about it today. Very good lesson at a very early age. I know it goes with out saying... those style jacks are very handy... Be careful!

[Young Ed]

Yes thats a good point. In that photo all we were doing was power washing the frame etc for cleaning. That jack has a safety pin that it rests on and we always use it in conjunction with stands. Same with a floor jack I always use stands with it.

[Thumbtack]

Good deal on the safety pin!