Broken right-rear shock mount.

[lloyd3]

This is a good news/bad news situation....the passenger-side leaf-spring pack seems to be as good as the day it was made, which is what you would hope to see from a theoretically bullet-proof driveline (18-spline A-833 and a 9 3/4-inch Dana 60). What has been generating all of the racket back there when I go over even a mild bump is a broken weld on the cross piece that the top of the shocks bolt to.  Is there a proper term for this stamped steel, upside-down handlebar shaped  bracket that is welded to the rear sub-frame horns, just in front of the gas tank?   Spot-welding to repair it will be a bit dicey, as it's darn close to the intersection of the gas tank, the fuel line and the exhaust pipe.  A further issue might be the fact that there is strong evidence of the typical mid-west type of corrosion on cars from that part of the world (this car lived for many years near the Nebraska/Iowa border).  If it can't be welded, can it be replaced? I know you can get replacement trunk floors, is this piece replaceable as well? 

[Alaskan_TA]

You can shop for a new one at http://www.autometaldirect.com/chassis-and-frame-rear-crossmembers-c-283_263.html

[birdsandbees]

Like a LOT of things at AMD, out of stock. Possible a dealer has one on the shelf, but not highly likely.

[lloyd3]

Alaskan_T/A: Thank you kindly for that information.  It does look to be out-of-stock at the moment, but at least it has been available before (& I now know what to call it). I'm hoping to find a competent welder/fabricator here to solve the problem, and I suppose a junkyard B-body might be a donor option as well?  It doesn't seem like it should be an insurmountable problem.

[BrianShaughnessy]

You could try Auto Rust Technician's Safe T Cap.

https://www.autorust.com/product/rear-shock-crossmember-art-036/

[lloyd3]

Mr. Shaughnessy:  Thank you for that. I had originally thought that it was merely a cap, but upon further review it seems that it is also a direct replacement for my damaged cross member (it is also less-expensive than the unavailable AMD part!). I'm hoping for a simple fix.... but if that isn't feasible, this will be a nice alternative.

[NickJ]

I had the same problem with my 69. I'm almost 100% sure I googled the AMD part number (Part# 860-1466) and it gave me several options to purchase that crossmemember... Almost all of which were cheaper than AMD (Summit has them now for $225 w/ free shipping). Hope this helps.

Nick

[lloyd3]

Thanks Nick, it does.

[lloyd3]

Found a good fabrication shop quite by accident a few years ago. Took the car to them this AM. The fellow working on it used two different types of welding equipment. One with the simple rods I'm used to seeing and then a unit that had a wire-feed.  He told me that it was a clean break with only minimal corrosion issues and... in about an hour I was back on the road. He said that it shouldn't be a problem again.  Halleluiah!

[myk]

So you didn't have to replace the crossmember?  That's great!

[lloyd3]

myk: thank you!

Not for the moment, it seems. I climbed under her after he was done and what I thought was corrosion was clearly remnant undercoating scale and some ragged weld work that had been (evidently) done in the past on a previous repair in that area.  He said that the material he reworked was substantial enough to last almost indefinitely.  If it does become a problem again, however, I'll look into a more-thorough redo.  He even climbed back under it to spray on a rust inhibiter on the weld areas to prevent another rust spot from happening.  I paid the bill at the office and then slipped the young man a $20 on the way out the door...told him I was buying lunch.   Always a treat to find somebody competent.

[charge69]

Nice to hear a story like this.  I have found that if you tip well for good service, the person you tipped will remember you for that and will make sure you are taken care of in the future!
Going the extra mile by spraying the rust inhibitor on the weld is a sure sign of competent service!  He definitely will remember you as one of the very few that acknowledges his work and is willing to reward him for it !!