I prepped my frame for painting this weekend.  If I'm lucky, I might get a coat of paint on this evening.  I started with a wire wheel on an angle grinder, but when I realized there were lots of areas I couldn't get to that way, I got out the sand blaster...  I didn't remove every square inch of old rust and paint, but enough that I think (hope?) I'll get good adhesion with the new paint.

Anyway, no rot anywhere on the frame!  Even the battery carrier, which looked really rusty turned out to have only surface rust.

But I am concerned about the rear member.  I had posted pictures before showing some damage to it, but after sandblasting, it looked even worse.  Pictures below:








This is the bottom surface:





First question:  this doesn't look like the rear member is supposed to, does it?  At the very least, it should be longer, shouldn't it?  Or did someone just cut the ends off at some point?  Note that the two plates welded on near the ends are where the rear bumper that a PO used instead of a drawbar attach.

Second question:  what the heck could have caused damage like that, when everything else looks to be in great shape?

Third question:  now what do I do about it?  The way I see it, there are two real options:  grind out those cracks and reweld them, or grind off all the rivets and welds holding it on and buy a new rear member from Walcks.  Suggestions?

Thanks,

-Paul

I have to replace my rear crossmember also. Can you safely cut off the old one while attached to the tub or do you need to support the frame first?

That looks like a chain was wrapped around the crossmember.  I am dealing with the same issue.  Mine is not hacked off, so I intend on straightening it.

If I had your crossmember, I think I would replace it.  Just grind off the welds and rivets.  Get some 3/4" x 1" carriage bolts, then grind the head flat to achieve the rivet look.  No one will ever know.

Tim

Here are some photos of the rear crossmember and the rivet process