Frames

A. Prasanna
 Frame
 The frame or under body is the main skeleton of
the vehicle.
 The remaining parts of the chassis are mounted
on it.
 Chassis frames are made of “steel Section”
 They are strong enough to withstand the load
and also light in weight to reduce dead weight on
the vehicle.
 Location of major parts on the chassis:

 The engine is mounted in the front end of

the frame and is connected to the clutch
and transmission unit to form a complete
power assembly.

 The rear axle housing is attached through

the real spring at the rear end of the
frame.

Contd
 Thewheel and the tyre assemblies
support the frame

 Thesteering system has some parts

attached to the frame and the body

 Thepetrol tank is fastened to the

rear of the frame.
Functions of the frame
 To carry the weight of the vehicle and
passenger.
 To withstand the engine and transmission
torque.
 To bear thrust, acceleration and braking
torque.
 To resist the centrifugal forces when
cornering.
 To withstand bending and twist

Contd
 To strengthen, to resist the severe twist
and bending forces at high speed over the
road.

 To provide correct spacing between the

different components.

 To serve as a bed for fuel tank, battery

and other mounting units.

 To bear the suspension system.

Types of frame
 Conventional frame
 Semi – Integral frame
 Integral or Unitized frame

The chassis frames are pressed steel

members and are easily attached to
each other by riveting or welding.

Contd
 Theframe basically consists of two
longitudinal members of mils steel with
channel section.

 These two members are connected

cross - wise by cross members of
tubular or box like cross section.
Construction
Conventional frame
 Itis called as non – load carrying frame
 The loads on the vehicle are transferred
to the suspension by this type of frame.
 The total frame is mounted on the wheel
axle by means of springs.
 Mostly used in heavy vehicles like trucks.
 The cross sections of the frame are
usually channel, tubular or box type.
Semi-Integral frame construction

 The rubber body mountings are usually

replaced by relatively stiff mountings.
 This arrangement transfers a part of the
frame load to the body structure also.
 This type is mainly used in European cars
and American cars.
 This construction is heavy when compared
to the previous type.
Integral frame construction or frameless
construction
 This
is also called as Chassisless, Unitary or
monocoque construction.

 There is no separate frame.

 This used in passenger cars.

 Thisconstruction provides a stiff light

construction suitable for mass produced
vehicles.
Contd
 Allthe assembly units are attached to the
body.

 Heavy side members are eliminated and

cross members are combined with the floor
of the body.

 Thistype of construction led to much

reduction of weight.

Contd
 Themembers are welded together as
one assembly.

 Inthis type the stresses are evenly

distributed throughout the structure.

A strong structure with good

torsional rigidity and resistance in
bending is provided by this type.
Contd
SUB FRAME
A frame is attached to the body frame
in the front of the body shell.

 Theengine and the gear box are

supported on these frames at the
front suspension using independent
rear suspension.

 These
are simple in construction and
mounted in rubber blocks.
Contd
Front Sub-Frame
Rear Sub-Frame
 This frame supports the main frame
at three points.

 This is to isolate the components from

twisting and flexing effects.

 In turn protect the body from engine

vibrations.
Contd
ADVANTAGES OF SUB - FRAMES

1. It helps to dampen the vibration.

2. It simplifies the production process while
assembling.
3. It facilitates repair, service and overhaul.
Types of sections of frames
 Channel section
This is used in long members of the
frame. It is good in bending and tubular in
torsion.
 Box section
This is used in short member of the
frame. It is good in bending and torsion.
Box Type
 Tubular section
This is used in three-wheeler, scooters,
matadors and pick-ups
BACK BONE FRAME

A central longitudinal steel tube is called

back bone.
 The section below uses single arm parallel
type of suspension.
 Theengine gear box unit is accommodated at the
forked front end of the frame.

 The driving shaft is made to pass through the

inside of the central tubular portion of the frame.
 Thisframe is build up of two channel
sections, which are pressed and
welded together.

 This
type of frame is used in
independent suspensions.
 Frame
Members
 Itconsists of two longitudinal or side
members A and B.
 These are made in the form of
pressings of channel section.
 Theside members are generally
arranged to be closer at the front.

 The
side members are brazed by a
numbers of cross members C.

 Dump irons-D are provided at the

front and rear ends.
 Springsare connected to brackets ‘E’
which are provided to support the
running boards.

 Brackets‘F’ are used to support the

engine, gear box, brakes shafts,…..

 Theframes are stiffened with cross

pressing for independent suspension and
are stiffer at the front end.
X - Frame
 The side members and cross members
are rigidly attached to each other by
riveting or welding.
 Heavy side members are eliminated and
cross members are connected with the
floor of the body.
 ‘X’ member may be of channel or box
section.
 This type of frame imparts rigidity to the
frame.
DEFECTS IN CHASSIS FRAME

Some of the defects are;

 Cracks
 Dislocatedparts
 Broken welds
 Buckling

 Thechassis is checked for these

defects and suitably rectified.
The following methods are used to prevent
rust formation;
 Use of galvanized sheets.
 Use of zinc enriched primer paint.
 Use of plastic coating on panels.
 Use of rubberized solution.
 Avoiding tight corners so that the moisture cannot
get settled.
 Providing plenty of drain holes to allow trapped
water to run out.
 Itis important that the chassis frame is
properly aligned.

 After repair is carried out on the frame, the

alignments should be checked with the
original measurements.
Materials for Frame
 The various tools used are Mild Sheet Steel,
Carbon Sheet Steel and Sheet nickel alloy steel.

 The composition of sheet nickel alloy is;

 Carbon - 0.25 to 0.35 %

 Manganese - 0.35 to 0.75 %
 Silicon - 0.30 % (Max)
 Nickel -3%
 Phosphorous - 0.05 % (Max)
 Sulphur - 0.5 % (Max)