[DalTee]

So Sunday I took my car 85 out to go to my friends house. I knew that I needed a new Power Steering pump but I thought "You know what, I am going less than five miles, I'll put some fluid in adn I should be ok."

I get over to his house just fine, but when I got ready to leave it was kinda tight. I put more fluid in and went to pull off. All of a sudden the steering wheel move very freely, like brand new freely. I moved, but the car stayed straight. I backed up it stayed straight.

My friend comes out and I ask if the wheels are turning and he says no they aren't.

We look at the front end and part of the steering linkage and a drive belt is hanging down. ok cool. So I call AAA for a tow. when they are putting the car on the flatbed I look beneath and on of the front frame horns has a hole about three inches long and I can see part of the steering gear I think behind the hole. It looks as if some if the steering compenets wet right through a rust hole in the frame.

So now I am a bit upset with myself, one for being a dummy and thinking I could make it. Two because I didn't realize that there was frame issues like that. Three, I HAVE TH STINKING PUMP AND DIDN"T PUT IT ON YET!

so at any rate, I am not giving up on the car. I just saved up the money to get my new door shells, but before doing that now, I have to refgure my plan.

I was doing the following

ignition & wires - done
Brake lines - done
Interior - mid process
ps pump - have but not installed
Fuel lines - once the pump is done
Doors, hinges, pins and installation - have the money, not yet ordered

AAARGH! what do you guys think I should do?

 

[cam81]

Take pictures of the frame horns, did the steering parts tear away from the rusty frame? Hopefully not, because then you would need some frame modifications.

-Jarod

 

[DalTee]

yeah it looks like it. I've already begun pricing new (used) frame horns. I had planned on changing the sawy bar, shocks, and draglink assembly anyways... just not now. my head really hurts lol.

Thank you for the feedback

 

[DalTee]

I just wonder has this happened to anyone else... and what did they do...

or

am I the only "smart" one in the bunch

 

[xcookpac]

I just wonder has this happened to anyone else... and what did they do...

or

am I the only "smart" one in the bunch

I have seen other peoples cars/trucks have this problem (back when I was working as a garage mechanic). I see that you are from beautiful (and very salty roadways in winter) New England. Is it fair to say that you Camino is also from New England (or some other salt flinging state). If so, I would do a thorough frame inspection from stem to stern on your Camino before sinking another dollar into that frame. If the frame is shot in other sections than the steering box then you may be looking to purchase a used frame in the near future.

Look at this a different way and you will be happy. Namely, that steering box could have instead come loose while you were making a turn around your local "dead man's curve." If so, the result could have been tragic.

 

[cam81]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/78-88-EL-CAMINO-MONTE-CARLO-FRONT-FRAME-HORNS-USED-/310408545455?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year:1985|Model:El+Camino&hash=item4845ca84af&vxp=mtr#ht_1824wt_1163

A quick search on Ebay found this. This will not be a simple task and you will want to have a professional with a frame alignment rack too since you are hanging the steering parts from it($$$).

Otherwise, if the remaining metal is strong enough, you might patch-weld the spot that came apart.

Take my advice with a grain of salt; I have never done this.

-Jarod

 

[oldtinsmith]

DalTee,
I had a '78 Grand Am (I scrapped out!) that had the sway bar mount on the drivers side frame horn rust and fall out. When I scrapped the GA out, I took off the steering box and noticed that the box mount on the frame was really bad and probably would have failed shortly afterward!

Doug

 

[DalTee]

thanks guys. Cam81 thats the same one I saw on E-Bay on Monday. I am going to take xcookpacs advice and have it checked completely.

Maybe I can start selling the parts and gets cah for and IROC or something... aaargh!

I'll let you all know what goes on

 

[1983SS454]

I have seen other peoples cars/trucks have this problem (back when I was working as a garage mechanic). I see that you are from beautiful (and very salty roadways in winter) New England. Is it fair to say that you Camino is also from New England (or some other salt flinging state). If so, I would do a thorough frame inspection from stem to stern on your Camino before sinking another dollar into that frame. If the frame is shot in other sections than the steering box then you may be looking to purchase a used frame in the near future.

Look at this a different way and you will be happy. Namely, that steering box could have instead come loose while you were making a turn around your local "dead man's curve." If so, the result could have been tragic.

New england is rough on our old cars, CT is usually one of the worst states

 

[ccc]

i have seen used frames from 300 to 500$ just stick a clean frame under it and dont look back. if it did rust through its done from a safty point,no patches in the steering or brake mounting

 

[DalTee]

Ok fellas... I'm done being depressed. I am going to go ahead and change all of my front end components. I figure this is a project so let's pro- Ject. I was 1st Squadron 2nd ACR... Dragons tankers don't stop we fight through... Toujours Pret Always Ready Always First!

Really, I just had to regroups as my plans were re-arranged.

HkdUp inspired me too. If he can pull a motor on his own by himself without previously doing so before... I can do it too!

 

[Matty man]

Glad to hear youre pressing on!! I have not touched my projects all summer yet!! Life has a way of getting in the way,, my room inside my pole barn that should of been done a few months ago is still a work in progress,, a place to do body work and keep it in one spot not in the entire pole barn,,,, so regroup like your doing and press one!! Matty man pressing on as well!!!!!!

 

[John Harris]

...so at any rate, I am not giving up on the car. I just saved up the money to get my new door shells, but before doing that now, I have to refgure my plan.
AAARGH! what do you guys think I should do?

Welcome to the rusty, trusty el camino owners group of New England! As other members here have mentioned, do a very thorough frame inspection before doing any work or sinking more cash into it.

Whatever the outcome and your new work plan, try to start only those items you can complete before El Camino Night at Lee USA Speedway on July 27. We'd love to see you there.

 

[HKDUP87]

Ok fellas... I'm done being depressed. I am going to go ahead and change all of my front end components. I figure this is a project so let's pro- Ject. I was 1st Squadron 2nd ACR... Dragons tankers don't stop we fight through... Toujours Pret Always Ready Always First!

Really, I just had to regroups as my plans were re-arranged.

HkdUp inspired me too. If he can pull a motor on his own by himself without previously doing so before... I can do it too!

Go for it if i can do it you will to. Plan it out and go to You tube and just type what you want to do and there's always something on your project. Here at the ECC no question is stupid but it may drift from what your asking but you will get the info you need. I got all the parts and tools needed to do the job it will save you time. A week before you start get some liquid wrench and spray all the bolts every night. I had no issues except one manifold flange bolt all the others i didn't even need a breaker bar but it's sure handy. I also did a complete new installation of all my air conditioning under the hood with no idea of what to do and with the help of the members it was a breeze and it worked and still works after the first try. No issues in a year. I had a lot of help with the pulling and dropping in from Rich a member that lives close to me and my truck hasn't seen a mechanic sense i joined.
You will do great just remember when you start getting Ticked offoke: WALK AWAY THAT'S THE BEST ADVICE I CAN GIVE YOU.

Robert

 

[jimlawrence]

Robert, That is the best advice I've heard in a while

 

[HKDUP87]

Robert, That is the best advice I've heard in a while

It's the only way unless you like to do twice the work then do it right.:beer: Took me almost fifty years to figure it out.:dontknow:

 

[DalTee]

Thanks guys! Youknow I will keep everyone informed of whats going on and I'll ask a million and three questions!

 

[HKDUP87]

Thanks guys! Youknow I will keep everyone informed of whats going on and I'll ask a million and three questions!

Don't forget lots of pics.:nopic:

 

[MikesElco94]

Also remember to check the rear frame rails, IMO if you find anymore frame rust I would look into a used replacement frame. Then you can clean that frame up real nice, coat it with a rustproofer or even spend some $$$ and have it blasted and powder coated and never have to worry about it again :beer: I bought my camino for a fair rust free price, I even layed down on a creeper at the dealer I bought it from and looked under it, I still ended up finding some rust when I ripped up the smugglers box carpet. You can't escape the rust in CT.