V2Rocket

Anybody got any experience or tips for reinforcing the frame of the car on the underbody? The two rails that run from the engine bay under the floorboard on my car have a few crushed sections from jackstands. There are areas closer towards the front of the car where stands work fine, but further back the metal seems to weaken.

My idea would be to weld a short section of "U" shaped steel to the body over the existing rails to provide a new surface to support the car on.

Thoughts?

Darwantae951

I am considering doing exactly what you said. Welding a u shaped steel piece to each side to reinforce the rails. I was considering a 6 to 8 inch long piece.

xschop

That's another item on my list. 1/8" wall U-channel and a wire-feed welder.

GTSilver944

BMW sells metal inserts that you put inside their frame rails if they've become rusted, bent etc. Perhaps you could do something similar to that. Not quite sure how it works though.

BeerBurner

The logic of what you are saying is certainly there. This is a pretty common upgrade for Miatas and it made a world of difference on mine. As an example, I had trouble opening/closeing a door with one corner jacked up but as soon as I put the frame rail braces in the doors worked like the car was on level ground. It might potentially help on the 944 although not likely nearly as much as it does on convertibles.

Just as a reference, here is the place I ordered my braces from and I have attached a picture of their earlier braces (without the holes) mounted on the underside.

Edit: Sorry, I misread and thought you meant something for chassis stiffening versus simply reinforcing the frame rails. Oh well, I'll leave my post anyway...

BB.

Darwantae951

Are those just bolted in place? Or are they permanently attached?

BeerBurner

Bolted.

BB.

ernie9468

If you do go with U channel stager tacks them,tacks should approx 11/2"- 2" long no more with 1/2" returns at the ends.Also make sure that you remove all the undercoating prior to tacking in the location you tacks weld.After welding zinc coat (spray can) the welds.Then apply a coat of rubberized under coating on your channels.GL

Ben951S

Maybe mock up some pics and post... people can provide input that way and be on the same page.

V2Rocket

the internet always delivers



this guy had the same issue and just cut and replaced it. it looks like he may have used a factory part though, i would just use a generic piece of steel stock welded over the existing body.

Oddjob

Link to the write-up? Did he replace the existing ones, or just weld a second set on top of them?

I have similar damage on the frame rails of a car, and kept a pair of the rails off a parted/cut up tub to replace them. But just have not got around to doing so yet. Not a minor project, especially if you want it to look good.

dontnow

The guy Spencer posted cut the spot welds off and replaced the piece. You could go to a sheet metal place and have them bend up a piece like a U with flats at the top for welding in ~16 gauge. .125 may be hard to weld to the sheet metal floor with good penetration without burning a hole in the floor.

MAGK944

I'd also like to see a link to that car. Am I mistaken but is there the start of a tube-frame in the LH rear area and some non-factory metal work front?

car_slave

this 928 vender sells something that might work http://www.928motorsports.com/parts/...points_944.php

V2Rocket

^NICE