cracked frame

[falcon3]

Does anyone know if there is a firm who can repair a crack in the front square section frame. The crack is close to the end so sleeving it doesn't seem to be an option. I don't want to replace the frame because of the historic significance of the car.

Any thoughts would be welcome.

Roger

[christopher storey]

This picture frame is usually perfectly repairable if it is not badly corroded ( unlike the tubes) because it is made up of mild steel pressings which can safely be welded. However, it would help to know where the crack is , because obviously those parts of the frame which carry the suspension loads are much more critical than the more inboard portions . The other problem which I envisage is that the picture frame, like the tubes, corrodes from inside, and this means that by the time it has been repaired, it may be no more original than if you bought a new one from E type fabs. You may be able to assess this by giving it a good poking with a sharp implement

I cannot fault Hutsons in Bradford for this sort of repair. If you want to see samples of how they go about things see my FHC rebuild on the XKE data site at 1E20357 , and the man to talk to is Andy Rayner on 01274 669052. I cannot remember whether a photo of the bonnet is on that, but as a sample of their TIG welding it is peerless because instead of unrolling the wing beads at the bottom, they habitually cut the bottoms off and then weld them back on to get the wing depth correct. Even from inside, you cannot tell this has been done

[Heuer]

Roger

Is it the picture frame (behind radiator) or one of the side frames that has the crack. As Christopher says the picture frame can be easily repaired the side frames cannot. If in doubt give Uryk at E-Type Fabs a call. He knows more about frames than just about anyone. Doubt changing the frames will affect the historical significance of the car and given they are part of the structural integrity they are vitally important to ensuring the cars longevity.

[falcon3]

Christopher and David,
Thanks for your replies. The crack is in the side frame and you are telling me what I think I already knew. I did hope there might be something out there I hadn't heard about. I wil give Uryk a ring next week.
I have no intention of impeding the longevity of the car! (or my enjoyment of it....)
Roger

[christopher storey]

Sorry - when you said square section I thought you must mean the picture frame, but I now realise you meant the square tube of the side frame. Not repairable, but you can replace one section of the frames without replacing the others. The problem is that if one has gone, then the others may be suspect as well, unless it is the one on the left near the bulkhead which gets attacked by battery acid over the years.

[steve3.8]

Roger ,

i would not advocate replacing just one frame or part of it,Uryks frames are torsionally stronger so replacing one would create an imbalance, im not sure he would sell you just 1 anyway,repairs are a no no-- not practical or safe.Everone who has purchased frames from Uryk including myself are impressed with the quality and worth looking at are the frame upgrades to the engine mount bracket etc,which when you come to remove your original frames these will more than likely be distorted

ps- dont forget to save the original picture frame

Steve

[christopher storey]

Jaguar were quite explicit about frame replacement : it is not necessary to replace all frames if one is damaged . It is in the workshop manual at N25 where ,along with the injunction not to attempt welding repairs to tubes, this is said " It is most important that ,when accidental damage has been sustained at the front frame, the appropriate sub-frame assembly should be replaced". And whilst Uryk has had to use different tubing because the original Renold is no longer available , he still makes torsionally standard specification tubes in addition to uprated ones - see the website for E type Fabrications

[Heuer]

You could replace a single frame but if one has cracked through stress or corrosion, the other will not be far behind. Might as well put on a new picture frame (Uryk can stamp the chassis number on) and bonnet frame as well given the relatively small cost. This car's historic importance means it is not worth cutting corners over a few hundred pounds.

[falcon3]

It rather sounds like I will be going down the route of a full new frame - although I will speak with Uryk first.
I appreciate the input of those more knowledgable than I and I will NOT be cutting corners to keep the car "on the road". Far too many circuits to be revisited!!!
Maybe I should revive the "Jenks" column and update some photos from last year.....

[steve3.8]

Christopher,

E -type Fabs Standard frames are by the use of thicker wall tube/box section and higher yield material uprated in torsional rigidity so are not equal to original Jaguar frames-- The factory manual is only correct when replacing like for like,for me i would just replace the set and be safe,

regards Steve

[MarkE]

About time Roger...welcome back!

[Heuer]

Mark

Fantastic you took copies. Any chance you could add them to this thread?: http://etypeuk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=857 so maybe we can re-create the thread we we lost courtesy of the spammer!

[MarkE]

No problems...but perhaps Roger would prefer to add them with some commentary? Let us know Roger.

[Heuer]

Mark

I pasted your links into Roger's post so he can use the edit button to add his own description. If you have more picture links please email them to me and I will paste those in as well so we should be able to recreate most of the thread (apart from the leg pulling about the steering wheel being on the wrong side. obviously :D ).

[Heuer]

Thanks Mark - all the pictures are now back in the Jenks thread under Roger's user name. I will leave it to him to annotate/re-arrange them.

[MarkE]

I've emailed them to you David...do you want the above photos deleted?

[Heuer]

Mark

You can delete those pictures now to keep the thread on topic. I have added all your pictures to the Jenks thread and moved the whole thing to the 'Running Reports' Forum.

[falcon3]

David,

You obviously have difficulty telling wrong from right. The steering wheel is now on the right and for me that is not the wrong side.

And don't give me any more grief about where it was when the car was built - just go and look at 9600 HP then check the original press photos. Two of the best known road going E-Types with the same refinement!!!!

[falcon3]

OK, so the decision has been taken.

The car is off to Darlington to have a new frame fitted by Uryk at E Type Fabs. He was so helpful in respect of the frame and other bits of work that are sensibly to be carried out whilst the engine is out.

I am going for the standard frame without the various strengthening options that Uryk offers as the car will not be used for competition and I am happy to be guided by the man who makes the frames! Anyway the standard frame is already a lot more stiff than the Jaguar original.

I will let you know how it goes. Meanwhile, I think I will take it down to the Goodwood Breakfast Club on 7th March in case anyone wants to see the cracked frame still on the car.......