Writing this for a friend with a 1985 carb'd 305 Trans-Am. He got it from someone who managed to wreck the front passanger side...the tire is pushed back approx 4" so that it rubs the tire against the body.

The problem appears to be the crossmember/subframe. Is it safe for someone to pull this and replace it themselves?


Thanks

 

yeah but if he dies when it breaks I never said so!!! seriously though, take it to a frame shop.

 

let a pro do it. might run into problems later on down the road, literally

 

Hello all, I'm the friend that Jurrel was posting for.

Let me give you the full rundown.

Previous owner's son had a friend to took the car around the block, spun it out and smacked a curb with the thing. When I got the thing the right front wheel was back about four inches or so, so the spare donut was rubbing against the body.

After giving the thing a look-over, I guessed that the control arm was the problem, so hit Pick 'n Pull and snagged a sway bar and control arm/knuckle. Yesterday I yanked out everything, and comparing the old control arm to the one I grabbed there was only light damage to the rear mount point on the arm. Took a look under the car again and with everything out of the way, that's when I noticed that the rear mount point for the control arm on the k-member was pushed UP about an inch or so also looks like the body got tweaked slightly in that area as well.

I'd give pictures of the damage, but my digital camera sees about as well as Mr. Magoo. Anyway, exactly how much would getting the frame straightened cost? And do they make housecalls? Not sure I wanna put everything back together unless I know I wont have to take it apart again.

Thanks!

-Valden

 

My car had the same problem. You can replace the k-member yourself, but, htere are more than likely, going to be more problems. I used my cherry picker and unbolted the motor mounts and lifted the engine slightly, unbolted the old k-member and started trying to put the old one in. Come to find out that the drivers side frame horn was shoved back toward the rear of the car. Needless to say I couldn't get the new k-member to fit. I ended up putting the old k-member back in and taking the car to a frame shop. $1000.00 later my car was straight and the new k-member was installed. I couldn't have done this replacement properly, because of all the factory measurements.
IMHO take it to a pro. This person can put the car on a machine and get everything pulled and spread back to the factory specs.
:rockon: :rockon: