The Ford Barn

Res731 · 01-31-2015, 07:36 PM

image.jpg

The running board bracket is cracked just below the top rivet. Do most people try to weld these or simply replace ?

Ford1931 · 01-31-2015, 08:30 PM

Grind a V and weld it. A good weld is stronger than the metal if done right.

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 01-31-2015, 09:18 PM

Remove it from the frame, properly prep it, then temporarily bolt it to the frame to tack weld, then pull it off to weld it out fully.

wrndln · 01-31-2015, 09:27 PM

Runningboard bracket are quite plentiful. You should be able to pick a good one up for $10 or $15. Why mess with welding the broken one. I have 10 or 12 original brackets. Riveting the brackets back on isn't that hard, but you do need a good 3x rivet gun, a heaving bucking tool and three rivets. I sure wouldn't try to weld it when it is still on the frame.
Rusty Nelson

tbirdtbird · 02-01-2015, 02:49 AM

pie plates?

Res731 · 02-01-2015, 08:25 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Are these hot or cold riveted?

wrndln · 02-01-2015, 09:30 AM

Res731,
You have to use heat - a lot of it - red hot. I have installed 2 sets. You need a few tools like I mentioned above, plus an acetylene torch. You can do it.
Rusty Nelson

Terry, NJ · 02-01-2015, 10:42 AM

I think all this kind of "Structural riveting" is done with hot rivets. As the rivet cools, it draws tighter. This takes up any play left from too loose bucking. The trick is to get the pounding done before the rivet cools. You have to work fast. What kind of welding were you thinking of? Not stick, I hope. If you are going to weld it, use a TIG, (heliarc). But I think that replacing it would produce a better result and they're very available.
Terry

Quote:

Originally Posted by Res731

Are these hot or cold riveted?

Purdy Swoft · 02-01-2015, 02:40 PM

I agree, replacement is the better way to go. I have gas welded them and had no problems. The new replacements are good. I would rather have a good new replacement than a stressed patched part when I can .

Res731 · 02-01-2015, 05:26 PM

I have a mig. I have time till I get to replacing them so I will keep an eye out on replacements.

Thanks for everyone's replies

wrndln · 02-01-2015, 06:54 PM

There are the kind of brackets you need on the Fordbarn for sale section right now.

Purdy Swoft · 02-01-2015, 08:24 PM

Most of the 80 year old long front running board brackets are stressed and even if they look ok, they are just waiting for a chance to break at the top hole. I've tried a bunch of them over the years and this has been my experience. I find that the used front brackets are not worth the time that it takes to repair and install them.Bending and fitting them adds even more stress to a very old part. If the person that enters the car is light weight they have a better chance. New brackets are only 28 dollars in Brattons. A used one would probably cost at least 20 dollars and would need some attention. The new brackets look good to me and I have never had a problem with a new bracket . The rear brackets seldom if ever give a problem. the stress is always on the front at the top hole .

tbirdtbird · 02-01-2015, 09:06 PM

i never step on my RB; I always step over them. Restored it once, done

George Miller · 02-01-2015, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbirdtbird

i never step on my RB; I always step over them. Restored it once, done

I do the same.

Purdy Swoft · 02-01-2015, 09:40 PM

Same here . It also keeps the running board matting clean

larrys40 · 02-02-2015, 01:02 AM

I agree with Purdy in #12 post that replacing it is the best.. It looks like you have access to it now. The front one takes the majority of the load. In fact it's incredible how much load and especially for big guys entering/exiting the car. You may be able to weld what you have... but the metal is fatigued which is why it cracked, so in the best interest of it is easier to fix now while exposed as opposed to later on when everything is assembled you are best off replacing it with a good repro or an excellent original. I would shy away from any originals that are pitted as they are weakend and will most certainly crack or bend.

I have one to do tomorrow on a frame in restoration so I feel your pain right now.. although they are really not all that difficult.

Best of luck!
Larry Shepard

Res731 · 02-03-2015, 12:27 PM

Thanks again - will get replacements and give a try at riveting. I assume I could use bolts if I had to.

Purdy Swoft · 02-03-2015, 01:06 PM

I used bolts . Mine are not show cars and bolts are the easy way to go. I have never had a problem with using bolts on the brackets

George Miller · 02-03-2015, 01:49 PM

I use at least grade 5 bolts also and lock washers. If you ever have to fix them again it would be easier. Of coarse it is not the right way. Most of the time I try for the right way.

Russell in Tulsa · 02-03-2015, 01:59 PM

I have never done a replacement but if I were in your situation I would find a good replacement bracket, remove the old one, smooth the back of the new one and bolt that sucker tight and then hot rivet the new one on removing one bolt at a time.

The guru's will tell you if I'm full of **it.
Hope this helps.

01-31-2015, 08:30 PM	#2
Ford1931 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kenosha, WI Posts: 210	Re: Replace it repair running board bracket Grind a V and weld it. A good weld is stronger than the metal if done right.

01-31-2015, 09:18 PM	#3
BRENT in 10-uh-C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern Tennessee Posts: 11,508	Re: Replace it repair running board bracket Remove it from the frame, properly prep it, then temporarily bolt it to the frame to tack weld, then pull it off to weld it out fully. __________________ . BRENT in 10-uh-C . www.model-a-ford.com ...(...Finally Updated!! ) .

01-31-2015, 09:27 PM	#4
wrndln Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeville, MN Posts: 5,159	Re: Replace it repair running board bracket Runningboard bracket are quite plentiful. You should be able to pick a good one up for $10 or $15. Why mess with welding the broken one. I have 10 or 12 original brackets. Riveting the brackets back on isn't that hard, but you do need a good 3x rivet gun, a heaving bucking tool and three rivets. I sure wouldn't try to weld it when it is still on the frame. Rusty Nelson

02-01-2015, 02:49 AM	#5
tbirdtbird BANNED Join Date: May 2012 Location: inside your RAM Posts: 3,134	Re: Replace it repair running board bracket pie plates? __________________ '31 180A

02-01-2015, 08:25 AM	#6
Res731 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Westlake, ohio Posts: 107	Re: Replace it repair running board bracket Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Are these hot or cold riveted?

01-31-2015, 07:36 PM	#1
Res731 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Westlake, ohio Posts: 107	Replace it repair running board bracket image.jpg The running board bracket is cracked just below the top rivet. Do most people try to weld these or simply replace ?

02-01-2015, 09:30 AM	#7
wrndln Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeville, MN Posts: 5,159	Re: Replace it repair running board bracket Res731, You have to use heat - a lot of it - red hot. I have installed 2 sets. You need a few tools like I mentioned above, plus an acetylene torch. You can do it. Rusty Nelson Last edited by wrndln; 02-01-2015 at 09:54 AM.

02-01-2015, 02:40 PM	#9
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: Replace it repair running board bracket I agree, replacement is the better way to go. I have gas welded them and had no problems. The new replacements are good. I would rather have a good new replacement than a stressed patched part when I can .

02-01-2015, 05:26 PM	#10
Res731 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Westlake, ohio Posts: 107	Re: Replace it repair running board bracket I have a mig. I have time till I get to replacing them so I will keep an eye out on replacements. Thanks for everyone's replies

02-01-2015, 06:54 PM	#11
wrndln Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeville, MN Posts: 5,159	Re: Replace it repair running board bracket There are the kind of brackets you need on the Fordbarn for sale section right now.

02-01-2015, 08:24 PM	#12
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: Replace it repair running board bracket Most of the 80 year old long front running board brackets are stressed and even if they look ok, they are just waiting for a chance to break at the top hole. I've tried a bunch of them over the years and this has been my experience. I find that the used front brackets are not worth the time that it takes to repair and install them.Bending and fitting them adds even more stress to a very old part. If the person that enters the car is light weight they have a better chance. New brackets are only 28 dollars in Brattons. A used one would probably cost at least 20 dollars and would need some attention. The new brackets look good to me and I have never had a problem with a new bracket . The rear brackets seldom if ever give a problem. the stress is always on the front at the top hole .

02-01-2015, 09:06 PM	#13
tbirdtbird BANNED Join Date: May 2012 Location: inside your RAM Posts: 3,134	Re: Replace it repair running board bracket i never step on my RB; I always step over them. Restored it once, done __________________ '31 180A

02-01-2015, 09:40 PM	#15
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: Replace it repair running board bracket Same here . It also keeps the running board matting clean

02-02-2015, 01:02 AM	#16
larrys40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St Charles , Missouri Posts: 1,998	Re: Replace it repair running board bracket I agree with Purdy in #12 post that replacing it is the best.. It looks like you have access to it now. The front one takes the majority of the load. In fact it's incredible how much load and especially for big guys entering/exiting the car. You may be able to weld what you have... but the metal is fatigued which is why it cracked, so in the best interest of it is easier to fix now while exposed as opposed to later on when everything is assembled you are best off replacing it with a good repro or an excellent original. I would shy away from any originals that are pitted as they are weakend and will most certainly crack or bend. I have one to do tomorrow on a frame in restoration so I feel your pain right now.. although they are really not all that difficult. Best of luck! Larry Shepard

02-03-2015, 12:27 PM	#17
Res731 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Westlake, ohio Posts: 107	Re: Replace it repair running board bracket Thanks again - will get replacements and give a try at riveting. I assume I could use bolts if I had to.

02-03-2015, 01:06 PM	#18
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: Replace it repair running board bracket I used bolts . Mine are not show cars and bolts are the easy way to go. I have never had a problem with using bolts on the brackets

02-03-2015, 01:49 PM	#19
George Miller Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NC Posts: 2,975	Re: Replace it repair running board bracket I use at least grade 5 bolts also and lock washers. If you ever have to fix them again it would be easier. Of coarse it is not the right way. Most of the time I try for the right way.

02-03-2015, 01:59 PM	#20
Russell in Tulsa Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tulsa Oklahoma Posts: 298	Re: Replace it repair running board bracket I have never done a replacement but if I were in your situation I would find a good replacement bracket, remove the old one, smooth the back of the new one and bolt that sucker tight and then hot rivet the new one on removing one bolt at a time. The guru's will tell you if I'm full of **it. Hope this helps.