Rocket Surgeon
OBS Enthusiast
On both my 2500s I have... or HAD... a tow hook what was knocked up.
That there... is frame damage.
Annoying but... "minor" Then I picked up a used tow hook style valence, and it would not fit.
Delete the hooks and just go on?
No.
I looked at the frame and the hook assemblages and figured out a simple repair I could attempt:
Stock, the hooks are retained with an anchor plate within the frame that is sandwiched around/through the frame by the two bolts through their respective hook.
Rotating the loosened hooks 90 degrees perpendicular to the frame and tightening the bolts with a breaker bar tweaks the frame straighter. The anchor back plate remains in stock position. Both hooks are temporarily attached to the single anchor plate.
I did have to hammer inward on a bend in the frame on the right vertical wall (driver's outside of frame) to persuade the metal straight while the bolts through the perpendicular hooks were placing tension on the frame.
Frame was close to correct, but it would elastically return out of square when the bolts were released.
I placed a washer between the hook and frame, as pictured, to help apply force to the frame, such that I was bending the frame beyond straight. When the bolts were unscrewed the frame finally elastically returned to its proper shape.
Effectively, everything is straight now.
I need to replace the hardware to install the valence.
Later on that.
You must be registered for see images attach
That there... is frame damage.
You must be registered for see images attach
Annoying but... "minor" Then I picked up a used tow hook style valence, and it would not fit.
Delete the hooks and just go on?
No.
I looked at the frame and the hook assemblages and figured out a simple repair I could attempt:
You must be registered for see images attach
Stock, the hooks are retained with an anchor plate within the frame that is sandwiched around/through the frame by the two bolts through their respective hook.
Rotating the loosened hooks 90 degrees perpendicular to the frame and tightening the bolts with a breaker bar tweaks the frame straighter. The anchor back plate remains in stock position. Both hooks are temporarily attached to the single anchor plate.
I did have to hammer inward on a bend in the frame on the right vertical wall (driver's outside of frame) to persuade the metal straight while the bolts through the perpendicular hooks were placing tension on the frame.
Frame was close to correct, but it would elastically return out of square when the bolts were released.
I placed a washer between the hook and frame, as pictured, to help apply force to the frame, such that I was bending the frame beyond straight. When the bolts were unscrewed the frame finally elastically returned to its proper shape.
You must be registered for see images attach
Effectively, everything is straight now.
You must be registered for see images attach
I need to replace the hardware to install the valence.
Later on that.
Last edited:
