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Broken at the A-Arm

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Old 09-26-2009, 04:30 PM
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Broken at the A-Arm

Got a question for you guys...

I bought a really nice looking 92 RS Heritage Edition (so I thought)
The car was bought as kinda a father son project, he is 13 and i'm trying to teach him about cars. We pulled the 160,000+ 305 to put in a fresh 350 and convert it to a stick instead of an auto (got 3 years till he can drive thank god).

Here is my problem, after getting under its skin I found out it has been wrecked pretty bad in the front drivers corner. After looking at the sub-frame where the A-arm bolts to it, it has a crack almost all the way around the bracket. Would you guys recommend welding it or replacing the sub frame?

thanx
Old 09-26-2009, 04:37 PM
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Re: Broken at the A-Arm

Well, is it broken at the rear or front mount? If it's at the front then it mounts to the k-member and you can replace it with an aftermarket one and shave 60lbs I think. If it's the rear mount then in all honesty your screwed. Subframes on these cars aren't like the older ones, unless you REALLY know what your doing it's almost impossible to take them out. A pic would help, you could probably weld it, if not you could cut the piece out and replace it with one from a donor car, but you might have alignment issues if you do so.
Good luck
Alex
Old 09-26-2009, 04:51 PM
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Re: Broken at the A-Arm

Let's see a pic, sectioning in a piece is not that hard, welding/and bracing it could be an option? Alignment issues could arise if not done properly..Need a pic...
Old 09-26-2009, 05:42 PM
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Re: Broken at the A-Arm

Originally Posted by novafirebirdguy
Well, is it broken at the rear or front mount? If it's at the front then it mounts to the k-member and you can replace it with an aftermarket one and shave 60lbs I think. If it's the rear mount then in all honesty your screwed. Subframes on these cars aren't like the older ones, unless you REALLY know what your doing it's almost impossible to take them out. A pic would help, you could probably weld it, if not you could cut the piece out and replace it with one from a donor car, but you might have alignment issues if you do so.
Good luck
Alex

What are you talking about? Both A arm mounts are on the subframe:

The entire gray thing is bolt in:

Old 09-26-2009, 07:24 PM
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Re: Broken at the A-Arm

Originally Posted by J91
Let's see a pic, sectioning in a piece is not that hard, welding/and bracing it could be an option? Alignment issues could arise if not done properly..Need a pic...
I'll get a pic up 2moro, wife apparentely hid the camara from me.

it is the back (on the front side of the mount), where the factory weld attached it originally

I used the picture above to show you where it is till I can get a pic 2moro

Never had to deal with any frame issues before.

Thanks for the replies
Attached Thumbnails Broken at the A-Arm-fbody-subframe.jpg  
Old 09-26-2009, 07:26 PM
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Re: Broken at the A-Arm

the crack on the k-member can be welded, but make sure nothing else is damaged.

you can usually find new factory kmembers cheap.

or go aftermarket, buy they can get a little pricey, about 500$
Old 09-26-2009, 09:51 PM
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Re: Broken at the A-Arm

Originally Posted by //<86TA>\\
the crack on the k-member can be welded, but make sure nothing else is damaged.

you can usually find new factory kmembers cheap.

or go aftermarket, buy they can get a little pricey, about 500$
I was hoping to be able to get it welded but after looking at it closer i don't know, the crack goes almost all the way around. Good thing I decided not to tag and drive the car until we put the motor in or I would never have noticed it untill it was too late.
Old 09-27-2009, 01:53 PM
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Re: Broken at the A-Arm

I've got a sub-frame from an 85 TA ready to drop. I'm in MS so shipping shouldn't be too bad.

Kevin D.
Old 09-27-2009, 03:48 PM
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Re: Broken at the A-Arm

Originally Posted by Twin_Turbo
What are you talking about? Both A arm mounts are on the subframe:

The entire gray thing is bolt in:

Your right, for some retarded reason I was thinking of my nova. But the gray thing in the pic is the k-member. I always thought the subframe meant the rails. Maybe I'm just crazy.
Old 09-27-2009, 10:26 PM
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Re: Broken at the A-Arm

Originally Posted by shr00m
I've got a sub-frame from an 85 TA ready to drop. I'm in MS so shipping shouldn't be too bad.

Kevin D.
After looking real close at how far around the crack goes, I would definately have to remove it to repair it. since it has to be removed I will replace it. Possibly got one coming from a buddy if its not damaged (car's been rolled) If that don't work out, what would you want shipped to 37766? I could use my work addy if it needs to be a business




Donny
Old 09-30-2009, 08:42 PM
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Re: Broken at the A-Arm

$40 plus shipping. Couldn't tell you what that is untill I get it off.

Kevin D.
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