ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: HotRod on August 29, 2004, 01:58:51 PM
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Bad News. My back bumper seemed to wiggle a little too much for comfert. Frame cracked.WTF!!
Could be from extra wieght out back, spare tire and all.
As any body noticed this b-4? If not, Please check now.
I'm no hard core wheeler but it happened to me. Never giving it a thought before but there is NO frame support after the rear axle, so that may be why.
(http://www.eye-irritant.com/august2004/frame%20crack%202.jpg)
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but there is NO frame support after the rear axle
([url]http://www.eye-irritant.com/august2004/frame%20crack%202.jpg[/url])
??? Support for what? The frame goes from the front the the rear.
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Okay, heres my theory.
Point number 1. The rear bumper sits 3"inches above the frame to make up for having a bodylift and also wieghs (100lbs)more than the stocker, aka leverage
#2 the added wieght of the spare tire 80lbs (more leverage)
#3 swing open the tire carrier and whatcha got? Even more leverage
#4 ever since I've had it (1yr 3mths) I've noticed that when opened the bumper flexes downward. At first I thought the bolts weren't tight enough so I had it welded, and still it flexes.
After all that I started to notice the frame would flex in the neighborhood of were it cracked when opened.
Now since the frame was flexing, Would you assume there wasen't enough support on that section creating the flex? or just a weak spot in the frame?
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Well fix it, put a triangular gusset in
there welded to the frame and to the
rear body support, and do both sides
while you are at it, should be good as,
err well, better than new.
I had a rear body mount crack, about
8 years ago, maybe more, I welded it,
not extra reinforcement, just a weld, and
it's been fine for years, this was not a broken
weld, it was it the middle of the mount where
the body bolt goes thru
Good Luck
Wild
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Try a fix like this, it might be a good idea
for all the guys that have the Calmini bumper
and spare tire holder, as I see all of them
shake around a bit
Enjoy,
Wild
(http://wildcatent.freeyellow.com/zookmods/framefixed.gif)
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My thought exactly ;D
Thought I'd inform anybody that this may be a trouble spot for them ;)
"O"Well, It gave me a reason to take off the spare tire and "BOY" did the rear end jump up ;D
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*runs to check if the problem exists on samurais*
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Thats a bit worrying, I was looking to get a back bumper with swing away carrier. How does your bumper mount? I believe the Calmini one is bolt on but you can add a weld too for extra strength
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*runs to check if the problem exists on samurais*
*walks outside and shrugs at the samurai thinking that he drove the tracker hard with a cracked strut tower for months* ::)
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I thought mine wiggled a bit much so I added a piece of square tube that goes from the body mount to the shock mount. I never really thought about the extra stress but it might be a good idea to add some kind of a truss. :-/
Mike
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I thought about reinforcing it b-4 but didn't think it was all that bad. "O"Well, live and learn ;D
Heres a good pick showing how high the swing point is.
I assume because of this is why it happened. EIther that or I need to slow down for big bumps.
It's a good bumper and all I just think re-inforcing at this piont would solve this little problem.
(http://www.eye-irritant.com/august2004/cracked%20frame%202.jpg)
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It's a calmini bumper right. I'd tell them about it becouse thats not right. But reinforcing it is probley a good idea :)