After setting the vehicle on the frame rack, measuring and installing our centerline gauges we start a pulling plan. We have discovered that we have a diamond and a collapse front cross member, (Not good news). There is a rule of thumb that the diamond should be the first item to address but with the severity of the cross member we decide to attack it first. We set up our chains in order to hold the vehicle in place and set blocks in areas to help against sagging.
Our Chief frame machine is equipped with three 10 ton towers capable of putting a tremendous amount pressure in the area that needs to be reversed. We wrap the area where we are going to pull with chains and a super strong nylon pull strap and we start to pull. As we pull we are watching carefully how things are moving and the amount of pressure we are generating on our pressure gauges. Our centerline gauges are moving as we pull and this really helps us see the movement of the frame itself. We are happy to see the cross member moving as our space between the transmission is improving, it actually took 9000 lbs of pressure to move the cross member since this is probably the strongest area on the vehicle. After several attempts to pull the cross member to its factory position we start addressing the diamond affect. What is a Diamond? Just think again about a ladder. If you were to be able to stretch just one of the legs of the ladder about six inches and the other stayed in it original position just think how goofy that ladder would look, that ladder would be what we call a diamond. The most important item when pulling a diamond frame is the ability to hold and keep the side of the frame that was not injured from moving. After securing the side with chains, clamps and blocks we begin to pull straight forward on the damaged frame rail. As our frame rail moves back to its original position we should have equal measurements between the cross members and the frame rails as we do our X measurement. Next, we will do a computerize wheel alighnment.
Our Chief frame machine is equipped with three 10 ton towers capable of putting a tremendous amount pressure in the area that needs to be reversed. We wrap the area where we are going to pull with chains and a super strong nylon pull strap and we start to pull. As we pull we are watching carefully how things are moving and the amount of pressure we are generating on our pressure gauges. Our centerline gauges are moving as we pull and this really helps us see the movement of the frame itself. We are happy to see the cross member moving as our space between the transmission is improving, it actually took 9000 lbs of pressure to move the cross member since this is probably the strongest area on the vehicle. After several attempts to pull the cross member to its factory position we start addressing the diamond affect. What is a Diamond? Just think again about a ladder. If you were to be able to stretch just one of the legs of the ladder about six inches and the other stayed in it original position just think how goofy that ladder would look, that ladder would be what we call a diamond. The most important item when pulling a diamond frame is the ability to hold and keep the side of the frame that was not injured from moving. After securing the side with chains, clamps and blocks we begin to pull straight forward on the damaged frame rail. As our frame rail moves back to its original position we should have equal measurements between the cross members and the frame rails as we do our X measurement. Next, we will do a computerize wheel alighnment.
