To break a spot weld...? Front frame
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Dattebayo
- Posts: 33288
- Joined: Sun Aug 25, 2002 10:04 am
- Car: 2004 Nissan Frontier Desert Runner
- Location: NE DC
To break a spot weld...? Front frame
I have to replace the front upper frame bar that supports the radiator, and holds the light brackets.My question is How do you break the spot welds? I know how to weld it back together and measure the frame lineup, but cant think of a good method to break the old welds.
they make special spot weld drill bits. i totally ****ing hate drilling spot welds!!!!!!! or you can get a stone grinder on the end of a cut off wheel and grind them down which is probably what i would do in your situation. grind it down till you can just barely see the outline of the weld. dont go to far or youll be pissed. then like he said ^^^^^^ get a chisel and hammer to break the two or three layers of sheet metal apart.
exactly how you think you would hold it. just like if you were drilling a hole through a piece of wood, concrete, aluminum etc. just dont go all the way through both layers of sheet metal. you drill enough to where you get through the first layer without going all the way through the second. then once youve gone through the weld you seperate the two panels with a chisel and a hammer. assuming that youve never done anything like this before is why i suggested you use a stone grinder on the end of a cut off wheel. its alot harder to **** up that way. you just grind into the spot weld till you see the outline of it. then you do the same with the chisel and hammer two break the two apart. i would use an air chisel just because its easier and faster. but you would be more likely to cause more damage creating more work (not saying that youre not capable of doing it). once you do one this method you will know what im talking about. any more questions you would like answered? im a professional body man so if you have any nows the time to ask before its to late.
its called the radiator support. do you have the piece that youre replacing it with? if not then dont even bother starting till you have it. ive never seen an electric one. i would have to see a picture first. you know an air powered cut off wheel with the thin cutting disk on them? well you just put a stone wheel on it for grinding. and honestly (no offense) i would take this to a professional cause i can see it coming already. you may know how to weld and drill holes but there alot more to it than that if you want everything to work and fit properly. what exactly happened to the car? do you have any pics that i can take a look at?
yeah i saw them. it doesnt look to bad. although im gonna suggest you take it to a pro to where they have all of the right equipment and knowledge to fix it. youre most likely gonna have to end up putting it on a frame rack and measure the upper structure of the car while pulling that right upper rail (that is a must and there is no way to get around this). so pretty much you have no choice. dont start to dismantle any of the damage cause it all needs to be left in place while being pulled. you pull first to get everything into specs then you start the grinding, drilling, chiseling, hammering, cutting and what not.
thats actually not to shabby. do you know if thats to refinish the new part and the damaged part? if so id say jump on it if its a good reputable shop. your probably gonna get a new bumper hood and fenders to right? might as well have them paint your new body panels too while youre at it. and then to save some money you can put it back together since you took all of it apart.