Found the problem....

[till]

Well I decided to cut a few holes to see what's what....

[till]

Sorry, that first one is the Wreck in it's new home.
here is another one of the break in the frame...

[markdoane]

Tedd,
Looks like it broke right behind a crossmember. Do you think there was some damage from the cossmember weld?

[till]

The break is just behind the axles. It is between the cross members That is where the "rear end sag" starts on the street side. The crack or should I say split is in the furthest hole in the picture.....

[53flyingcloud]

Originally Posted by till

The break is just behind the axles. It is between the cross members That is where the "rear end sag" starts on the street side. The crack or should I say split is in the furthest hole in the picture.....

till,
Just curious..
This sounds like a huge project for a shell off frame restoration~
I'm just wondering..
Will be watching your progress..All the best to you~
ciao
53FC

[till]

53FC,

That is the plan, remove the shell and strip the floor. Since I did not find any rust damage, I'm sure I can weld / patch any damge that is in the frame.

[markdoane]

Tedd,

I assumed the blistered line about 1" to the right of the crack was the shadow of a crossmember weld on the other side. Is that just a rust line, like the diagonal one further to the right?

[greg176]

What I see in the pictures is a crossmember and not the main frame rail.It requires attention but is most probably not the cause of your rear end sag but the result of it.You'll have to dig further.

[TomW]

Originally Posted by greg176

What I see in the pictures is a crossmember and not the main frame rail.It requires attention but is most probably not the cause of your rear end sag but the result of it.You'll have to dig further.

I do not agree. Look at the thickness of the steel.

Tedd's Airstream is the same year as mine, only two feet longer. His picture is most likely showing us where the wiring enters the interior just aft of the rear axle to connect to the battery. For perspective, I have attached a jpeg of what I think is the "top" side of what Tedd is sharing with us. The black sheathing near the center of the picture is a continuation of what is underneath. The forefront shows the heating duct to the bath.

He has a situation. But, with the shell off, it appears to be a simple weld job.

Tom

[greg176]

TC
Yes it looks like I put my foot in it again.On my '61 the frame rails are made of heavy 4" "C" channel and the cross members are folded .080 steel sheet.Those photos look like steel sheet not heavy channel.I looked at some more photos of newer units and sure enough that's all the had for main frame.No wonder they fail.For a few photos of my new frame go to
http://www.airforums.com/forum...t=frame+repair
It is also worth noting that the heavy channel is also reinforced in area of axles.

[till]

TC is right on about the location. I should add that I have jacked up the rear frame section to see if the floor/side bulge straightened out any. They have.
Mark,
That blister may be an outriger welded to the frame rail. I will see more once I get the shell off and the floor out. I'm thrilled to find that most of the frame paint is in great shape. The insulation is dry and clean too.

[greg176]

Here's a pic of the new "61 frame in same location, at end of reinforcement plate.There is a piece if frame channel on top for illustration of size.