broken subframe bars can they be fixed?

[Revere sho]

i have a 93 ford taurus sho. there one bar on each side of the subframe, they go from where the lower control arm is to the front of the subframe. they have rubber bushings on each side of it but on my car they are loose. i brought it to a mechanic and he said it was my subframe bars and they either need to be welded or u need to replace the whole frame. does any one know what they are talking bout i just got a new frame and it dosent have the bars in it so i just need to know how to fix it?

 

[jelloslug]

Never ever go back to the mechanic again. If they were welded in place the control arm could not move. The bushings are replaceable, check shonut or fordpartsnetwork for the parts.

 

[masho95]

Those "bars" are the front tension struts. Most likely you just need new bushings. www.shonutperformance.com has a set for the fronts made in TPR for only $16.35. Check them out, they are in the "Performance" section.

 

[projectSHO89]

Moog makes replacements for the bushings. This assumes that the actual tension strut rod (proper name) is not damaged, broken, or excessively corroded.

You will need the following:

Moog K8516, Qty 2 front tension strut to subframe bushings

Moog K8613, Qty 2, front tension strut to lower control arm.

You will need more than the previous poster indicated. You can also get the Moog parts for far less from www.rockauto.com than from any other source, including SHO Nut.

Replacement of the bushings is a PITA and will involve heavy wrenches, removal of the lower control arm, PB Blaster, a big hammer, a crowbar, and some cussing.

If the cups in which the bushings rest is loose, it will have to be welded back to the subframe first.

Steve

<small>[ July 27, 2003, 10:39 AM: Message edited by: projectSHO89 ]</small>

 

[K-Dawg]

Shouldn't he get an alignment afterwards?

 

[masho95]

projectSHO89:
You will need more than the previous poster indicated.

I apoligize for that one. You'll also need the tension strut to subframe bushings which go for $34.72. Both parts are available from SHONut and match the MOOG numbers that projectSHO89 listed.

 

[projectSHO89]

K-Dawg:
Shouldn't he get an alignment afterwards?

Yes, but only if the rest of the susension and steering system is up to par. If it isn't, the alignment fee will be wasted when additional work is later done to correct other problems.

Far better to repair everything that is in need of repair, then perform the alignment.

Steve

 

[SHOck]

My reading on this is that the "cups" that are welded to the subframe to seat the torque-arm bushings have cracked and come loose. These cups can be welded back to the subframe if they are not badly corroded. New bushings would be in order as well. I think the mechanic may have a clue. Don't quote me on that.

 

[gdsqdcr]

I have seen the subframe crack at this cup before. I currently have a 90 in front the house with a broken subframe ... thumb
I have taken it to a couple of shops, they dont want to fix it. They are quoting me a couple of hundred dollars and they dont want to warranty it. If you can find a used subframe, assuming that is broken, I would go that route. If they cant weld the subframe back together perfectly, it could mess up the alignment ...

Anthony