It appears my Frame has developed some Hairline fractures where the lower a-arms mount. All of the cracks are right next to the welds. I don't know much about welding, but I was told that if it was heated up too hot it could cause the surrounding metal to become brittle. I can not tell if the crack goes all the way through the metal. Is it possible that all that only the paint on the frame is cracked and not the actual metal. The shop that noticed that cracks suggested I just keep an eye on them and if they get worse or start to spread then bring it in to weld up. Anyone else have the same problem? Any thoughts on the matter? I ride aggressive, but I am sure there are people out there that ride a lot harder and more often then I do.

You can check out pictures of the frame here.

 

By reading your post, I was guessing it was only the paint that was cracking. But adding the pics helps alot. You definitely have cracks started.

 

re-enforce the mounts with gussets now before the welds crack any worse...of course this just passes the stress on to the next weak link.

 

Those cracks are not uncommon. I've seen them on many [if not most] frame that I have checked. it is the metal that is cracked, and not just the paint. The good news is that they seldome get worst than what you have now. The bad news is that welding them now will do little to make things better. Welding will ALWAYS cause the metal next to the weld to be weaker than prior to welding. That is one of the reasons that many good, on road, bicycle frames are brazed, and not welded. Unfortunatly, brazing can seldom stand up to off-road abuse.

Watch the portion of the crack that is above the hole. If it gets worse, have the lower half gusseted, not just re-welded. If you simply re-weld, the crack will re-appear in a worse place.

For those people looking to paint of powder coat their frame, I have two bits of advice;
1) weld washers on each tab to re-inforce them. This will make them twice as thick, and require new bolts, but help prevent any possible problem.
2) weld any and all nuts that you can, on to the frame. This will make working on the quad much easier in the future.

 

Take it to your dealer and make them replace it!! It is a safety issue and even if it is out of warranty they have to replace it!!! By the wqay mine has them also and I just keep jumping the crap out of mine and they never seem to get any worse.

 

I would love to find that rule in writting that they have to replace the frame even though its out of warranty because its a saftey issue. I know how these dealers work in our area and customer service isn't one of their main goals. For now I think I will just ride it like I always do, just keep an eye on it. I just hope I don't lose an a-arm while landing my next 100ft jump!

 

THAT WOULD SUCK!!!

 

Justin G that name sounds familier, I'm from Vista originally...do you owe me money or something?

 

this makes me wonder if i might have any cracks on the bike, i might give it a good once over to see if i can find something, hopfully not i should say

 

Or something..... What school did you go to and what year did graduate?