Straighten out bumps in framerails

[soundcontrol]

Framerails often have bump from jacks, stands or impacts etc. In my attempt to learn bodywork, and my obsession of fixing things, is there any good tricks to straighten them out? What I can think about is one of those slide-hammer things with a hook at the end to get in that hole. A very bad one I guess you have to cut and weld a new piece in. Here is an example on my car, not too bad, seen much worse. I also have a bump in one of the rear rails, not close to a hole. Any tips?

[70chall440]

A lot of this type of work is limited only by your imagination; in this case by the hole, I would make a U shaped/grooved tool that I could slip into the hole and then pry out on in the direction I want the metal to move, then I would use a Oxyacetylene torch or perhaps MAP gas hand held torch to heat up the area I want to move. There are hydraulic pullers that could be used, but in this case you wouldn't need it.

[soundcontrol]

A lot of this type of work is limited only by your imagination; in this case by the hole, I would make a U shaped/grooved tool that I could slip into the hole and then pry out on in the direction I want the metal to move, then I would use a Oxyacetylene torch or perhaps MAP gas hand held torch to heat up the area I want to move. There are hydraulic pullers that could be used, but in this case you wouldn't need it.

Thanks, in general, does it help to heat the metal you wanna move? How much heat about? On a bump where I have no acess to the underside, I guess I can weld a rod to it and pull.

[70chall440]

you want to get it cherry red, if it starts sparkling or spitting it is about to melt. You want to focus the heat in the area you want to move and wide enough to get the area moved. It will take a little while as you need to heat it, move some metal, heat again, etc. That said, it most likely will never be flat like it was originally. The area you cannot get to is a different animal; you 2 options here; 1 - you can weld a rod in the center and then pull on it as you heat the metal or 2 - you can cut it out, beat it flat and weld it back in. If you bevel the edges you should be able to weld it and clean it up to the point you wont know it was ever touched (you could do the same thing with the other area as well).

[soundcontrol]

Thanks, I will try that. I banging on my very bumpy lower radiator support now, I'm gonna either cut it out later, or weld it in with USCarTools support, but for practice purpose Im trying to straighten it out. Much thinner metal, its hard as hell. Watching bodywork on Youtube, looks so easy for the pro's...

[70chall440]

Don't over think it, it isn't that difficult. Yea they make it look easy because they have done it, over time so will you. Just remember people were doing this back when all they had was a oxy torch, arc welder, and a hammer. Its as much about using your imagination as it is actual technique. Just learn the principles and apply them, the techniques will come.

[rhamson]

Thanks, in general, does it help to heat the metal you wanna move? How much heat about? On a bump where I have no acess to the underside, I guess I can weld a rod to it and pull.

Word of advice. Make sure there is nothing behind the area being heated this much as you might have a fire. I know it is a stupid remark but one worth saying.

[70chall440]

Word of advice. Make sure there is nothing behind the area being heated this much as you might have a fire. I know it is a stupid remark but one worth saying.

  and to that point, make sure there is nothing inside the frame like old dirt and grass, etc. I learned this lesson the hard way..

[YellowThumper]

And if dents aren't too large you could add some weld and then grind back to flat. This is one area that more thickness isn't a bad thing.

Mike

[soundcontrol]

I looked inside the rail with a USB inspection camera, looks good, just surface rust, the blaster guy said he could sandblast a bit inside as well, he had some equipment for that. Then I was gonna use Eastwoods internal frame coating:
http://www.eastwood.com/internal-frame-coating-w-spray-nozzle-qt.html


Now, I'm sure the dents will not come out perfect like new, but at least I wanna try to make it better.