OOH SH**

OK hears the problem! I Thought I broke the L front sway link... It turns out I broke the R front. that's not such a problem as I bought the new links from
AA and They look awesome! I also bought new front control arms. I thought I could replace all this today... after getting the car in the air I found
that all my noise in the front is actually the front cradle! its cracked all the way through!

Here is a pic


WTF do I do now!!!!
Does any one live near by that can weld in a support for me? i really cant afford to take it any where due to being unemployed for a year and a half!
I do side jobs and am trying to start my own business! if I can help any one in return I would be ever so grateful! and if they need cash I could do
some thing in about two weeks. PLEASE CAN SOMEBODY HELP?

It doesnt look that bad.All that needs to be done is ,bring the two halves close together and weld. no big deal.Isnt there someone in your neighborhood who has a welder?

Not that I know of...

ya know..if you drive down to one of those little ghetto muffler shops,theyll weld it up for not a whole lot.$40 to $80 will do it. they might even add a few pieces of steel plate to reinforce the area.It dont have to be pretty,just fixed.
shop around and I bet youll find someone who can do it cheap.

If you have the equip to pull the subframe off the car im sure there are some muffler shops that will even weld it up for a case of beer.
Also ed morad might be able to get you a used subframe but shipping might be a little high

I cant replace... I have a lot of tools but not what I need to pull the motor.
Im going to shop around and see if I can get it welded

You dont have to remove cradle from engine to make this weld. Ideally yes. all you have to do is get a Comealong,it,s a steel cable ratchet clamp.pull the two halves together with the comealong and weld the crack..then layer over the crack with small sheets of plate steel and run a bead around them securing them to the cradle.When we are all dead and buried and our rides are part of a prehistoric expo in Lithuania,those welds will still be going strong.

OK Guys, here's the update. My welding contact never got back to me...
That's just my luck. anyway I went to a local shop here in Orland Park
they have been family owned since 1950! that's quite a run! well the
owner put it on the lift and checked it out... he said he would have
liked to weld it but theirs just not enough material there and the crack
goes in to the bushing hole. he also said that its rotting in other areas
as well. so yesterday I dropped off my deposit and the sub frame is
ordered! Ill be dropping the Riv. off on the 20th and with some luck Ill
get it back the 24th! I cant wait! oh ya, between $700-$1100 depending
on how the bushings look. WOO HOO!

I'd replace all the cradle hardware and bushings while you're in there. It's not a simple job; might as well get it out of the way.

I was thinkin that myself.

O.K. new update! I am getting VERY! Depressed! shes been in the shop for two weeks! the sub frame that was shipped was bent out of shape! it was new! never installed on a car ever! bent in the shipping process! those bastards! then the shop had to locate another! I was supposed to have her back last tue. now a week later and shes still not done! oh by the way I will have all new bushings!
not a bad price to get it all done at once and have the piece of mind that I wont need to replace for another 17 years! I cant stand not having her here! this is killing me!

Patience, patience my friend. When you finally get her back home, she'll be in fine shape for cruising. Cheer up

ghpcnm wrote:

Patience, patience my friend. When you finally get her back home, she'll be in fine shape for cruising. Cheer up

I know, Id rather have her done right than rushed! but damn I HATE driving that mini van!

[/quote I HATE driving that mini van![/quote]
Mini Van ?!?! Now I Understand your frustration

O.K. Now I'm really getting frustrated! I WANT MY CAR BACK!!!!!
It's going on 4 weeks! I have a pile of parts sitting here waiting!
thermostat + gasket, water pump + gasket + new bolt set,
passenger side hub bearing assembly, and new axle shaft
just for good measure since it will all be taken apart any way
for the hub. and any day my STB will be here. and besides all
that I really miss driving her!

Today marked week 4. need I say more

WOOOO HOOOO!!!!!! She's finally home! and drives like she is a new car!

I've been following this thread since you discovered the subframe problem, and it's finally nice to hear you got the car back! You have to be happier than ever .

Oh ya! very happy! she feels so much more solid! steering, breaking and so so smooth on acceleration!

Congrats