I'm not sure if this is called the crossmember or what, but I was getting under the car to jack it up, and was gonna use the jackpoint noted in the suspension 101 post, when I got under the car and saw this quasimodo here. I don't remember from other cars I've been under them being so mis shapen. Is this how they look? And is that what it's called, a crossmember?

 

It's a K member, and it's not normal.

 

A k member, excellent. Knowing the name will help with searches. Being as i dont yet know what a normal one looks like, do you have a guess as to why this one looks that way? Im mostly wondering if its from the PO running over something, or if the car is in sad shape structure wise and is causing it to warp.

Im guessing also, that this isnt easy to replace without disconnecting a lot of other components correct?

Thank you for the reply

 

It would have to have been involved in a serious collision.

 

yes thats the k-member, and WOW it took a big hit those are stout pieces!

 

That's what I'm gathering. I'm really stumped, as no other part of the car looks, acts, or feels like it's been hit. Aside from one of the POs inability to do things nicely with the interior, it's a very nice looking car.

I however have no clue what I would be walking into if I tried to replace the k member. I don't have a shop, nor even an indoor place to work on it, so involved projects just aren't feasible for me right now. Starting to wonder if I should just sell it. Have only owned the car for a few months.

 

its very involved to replace it, but its not very difficult (if that makes sense). It may have been from bottoming out REALLY hard or something...

 

At bare minimum it will require pulling the engine right? And do I run any risks if I leave it as is?

 

no you don't have to pull the engine, but you will have to support it somehow. I can't say without actually seeing it, but it looks severely damaged

 

Well, not having to pull the motor is good news, I can always rent a hoist. I didn't look much under there, but I'm guessing the "involved" part comes from the front suspension? Did I see the control arms connected to it? I'd have to pull tires/wheels, brakes, struts/springs, the arms....not to mention finding another. Not sure if I want to go with a tubular one, this is only a daily driver, and third gens are a rare find in my area.

Whatta headache.

 

I just found this thread
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...mber-bent.html
Is that going to be the same for an 88? If so, doesn't seem to bad at all.

 

All years and models are the same.

 

looks like someone hooked a chain up to it there to pull it out when it was stuck and gave it a big jerk.

 

That bent part almost looks like a sheetmetal skid pan or something????????? It doesn't look like the lower control arm mounts are moved or anything heavy duty is out of place.

If it is just a sheet metal guard or something, no big deal at all.

 

No, itsa major piece. Think i may have to ask a shop how much they'll charge to fix it. I just dont have a good area to work on it

 

thats definitely the bottom of the k-member, the three holes are a dead giveaway.