Truck frame repair - Радар

A truck is a structure originally designed for difficult operating conditions. Its parts and components have special resistance to wear and loads, achieved by using high-strength materials and special protective coatings. However, even such reliable equipment can break down due to careless handling or under the influence of external factors. Welding the frame of a car, which has been mercilessly used for a significant period of time, is not an easy task. Only professionals can cope with it – for example, employees of the manufacturing company “Radar”.

Why do you need frame welding

The frame is the supporting element of a cargo vehicle. Its design includes units for fastening the body-superstructure and chassis, due to which special requirements are imposed on the device in terms of strength. As the car is used, the block breaks down, becoming unusable due to two reasons:

Natural deformation. Either metal fatigue, or a series of errors made by designers.
Artificial deformation. Change in geometry after accidents and road accidents.

Frame welding is a service that is preferred by drivers who have noticed fractures, cracks and differences in the structure in visual mode. However, defects can also be hidden. Their quantitative and qualitative ratio can be determined only with the help of specialized diagnostic equipment.

Car Frame Welding Technology

Frame repair by welding is a technically complex process consisting of different stages:

dismantling the attachments – with the removal of the fuel tank, fenders and spare wheel;
installing the car on a frame stand – performing digital diagnostics of typical faults;
direct correction of the structure – restoring the geometry of the problematic unit;
finishing – application of AK compounds, primers, putties and other similar materials.

If you refuse to carry out frame repair by welding, you may encounter with many unpleasant consequences. Rapid wear of tires due to axle displacement, increased fuel consumption, cabin deformation, abnormal operation of power units – this is a small list of problems that await a slow driver.

Main defects and advantages of frame repair by welding

A car frame is a structure that requires a special approach when organizing repair and restoration work. The first thing that qualified craftsmen will do is to determine the nature and quality ratio of the current damage. As a rule, we are talking about such defects:

change in geometry – deformation in different planes;
physical damage – all kinds of punctures, cracks and bends;
displacement of the side members – exclusively in the diagonal plane.

Repair of subframes and the frame itself without welding is almost impossible. Using the presented technology, you can achieve excellent repair results – in terms of operational parameters, the restored structure will not differ from the new one. You can order a full range of services related to frame repair and restoration from the experts of the manufacturing company “Radar”. The organization’s staff includes experienced and qualified assemblers of metal ship hulls, welders, cutters and engineering and technical workers of various calibers. The brand manufactures car awnings, frames, vans and bodies, and has been repairing cars for many years.

	Vertical deflection of the frame on a semi-trailer
	Vertical deflection of the frame on a Gazelle
Lateral deformation of the semi-trailer frame to the right	Here is another example of natural frame deformation: Everyone knows that a right turn is “steeper” than a left turn (the trajectory of a right turn is smaller than the trajectory of a left turn), as a result of which, on long vehicles, lateral deformation of the frame to the right occurs. Due to the different trajectories (radii) of right and left turns, uneven wear of the rubber occurs (the inner part of the wheel, relative to the outer; left wheels, relative to the right, especially when turning at a minimum turning radius).
Frame twist 75 mm	Here is another example of natural frame deformation – this is frame torsion (screw). This car has a mileage of only 3000 km, there was no overload, but the frame was deformed by a screw by 75 mm. Only one transverse crossmember is installed on this frame. The frame contour is not closed, so the side members “walk” relative to each other.
Three factory frame connections at once on two meters of length	The reason for the natural deformation of the frame is not only metal fatigue over time, but also design errors: in choosing the steel grade; the thickness and size of the walls, shelves, belts, side members and cross members of the frame; frame design (number of cross members, their location, methods of connecting the frame components); savings by the manufacturer on materials and labor intensity (some light-duty trucks do not have subframes, although the subframe (overframe) adds strength to the frame; on semi-trailers, the “goose” is not reinforced, etc.); frame versatility (the ability to extend the frame by adding individual elements for other body sizes).

Now let’s look at artificial (emergency) deformation of the frame. There are various emergency frame defects:

changes in frame geometry (vertical deflections, torsions, lateral deformations, deviations from verticality, bulges, diagonal displacement of the side members);
frame fractures;
cracks, bends;
wall thickness (flatness);

Emergency deformation occurs due to several reasons: road traffic accident; exceeding permissible loads (overloading of the vehicle); violation of vehicle operation rules (uneven distribution of cargo on the cargo platform, operation of the vehicle with a faulty chassis, non-horizontal positioning of the dump truck during unloading); Repair of cargo frames is a whole science. This is far from being an automotive business – it is a combination of such sciences as strength of materials (resistance of materials) and metal technology. Straightening and repair of a deformed frame is a very complex technical process that requires high qualifications from frame repair specialists. The RADAR company is certified to repair cargo frames and has extensive experience in such work. Below are examples of some of our work.