Bhlark

Hey guys, I have an '88 N/A FC that I slid into a curb going sideways at around 35mph. The rack and pinion is busted but I have the replacement unit already. Other than that, I took some frame damage that I need assistance on. I'm not sure what exactly is wrong (total car noob) and I would like to know what's busted, how to fix it, and if it's even worth it. Thanks, fellas.

Aaron Cake

iTrader: (1)

You need to take that car to a frame shop and have the alignment of the body checked. Picture #2 shows the floor pan separated from the frame rail. You must have hit HARD. I expect the entire front end is tweaked. Same with picture #4. Never have I seen the engine mount pocket broken from the subframe.

Doors still close alright? Fender gaps at the front?

Looks like 50MPH, not 35.

Tiggeh

That's what I was thinking. Like Aaron said you'll probably need to head to a body/frame shop to get that checked out and you'll know what's damaged and how much that damage is if it could be fixed.

Bhlark

Doors close fine, few mm of separation at the passenger side headlight cover. I'm guessing it would take at least a full gut of the engine bay to get to fixing the mount pocket and realigning the floor pan?

Aaron Cake

iTrader: (1)

You can hang the engine from a hoist while you remove the subframe.

If you can access the floor pan, then it can be welded back.

However I highly suggest you ask a frame shop.

I have NEVER, EVER seen a subframe bent. If bent to the point where the pocket has separated, then the subframe should be replaced, not repaired.

As the body lines don't line up, the entire front end of the car has been shifted. It needs to go onto a frame jig and professionally evaluated. They may find cracked welds everywhere and can offer advice as to how it should be repaired. At the very minimum, the frame will need to be pulled back straight.

erick31876

iTrader: (8)

I work at a body shop and see this type of hit all the time,at the very minimal,you need a inner tie rod,sub frame,and it looks like either the side apron or the floor pan seperated,if the tie rod bent like that,you probably need a lower control arm also. That's just what I can see from the pictures,your going to have to take it to a body shop and have it put on a frame machine and measured.you can probably get the suspension parts used for a couple hundred. But then you have the cost of the frame and body work which is going to be high

Bhlark

Thanks guys. The FC is going to a body shop by next week. I'll make sure I relay the information to and from the forum to my mechanic. This isn't going to stop me from finishing this build and all the help is highly appreciated.
What is the exact name of the part of the subframe that clamps the control arms? It's also under the rack and pinion and it looks like it's removable by 9 bolts all around. I'm looking into finding a replacement for that. I'm just not sure what it's called. Probably just called the subframe..?
I'm going to have the control arms removed and looked at but other than some scuffs, they look fine. Would the crack before they bend? Or the other way around? Is this the same for the front tie rods?
Also, once the frame is aligned I might as well change out the bushings (my FC was a commuter car and has 317k miles on it).

misterstyx69

iTrader: (142)

Suggestion..
Go back around that curb the other way..
Slam!...FIXED!..Straight..

If you are tossing more than 800 into that car you are tossing away money.

Bhlark

If only we had a reset button! Got the car for dirt cheap, least I could do is try.

hisdudeness

Sorry to hear it, bud. I think you should just call some of the local body shops and find out which ones give out free quotes. That way you get it checked out by a pro, and you'll know then whether it's worth it to you or not. It can't hurt. Good luck!

Bhlark

Quick bump and update. She's on the road fellas. I bought a secondhand subframe and refurbished rack and pinion. The body frames on passenger side were bent in but we cut around it. The subframe was bored new holes and kept the alignment correct. Every other suspension component was still usable (bushings, ties, links will be swapped soon). The car will not be driven hard or often but will be constantly worked on. Thanks fellas. I'll be on site way more often now.

misterstyx69

iTrader: (142)

I had sort of a similar situation with my first car,second car thing.
First car was rough,second car was a slight smacked,insurance claim buy..
Parted the first car to get the second car into the body shop and created one good car.
That car eventually got turned into "the blue grenade" which made 357HP.

Bhlark

This is awesome! I'm glad to hear about others managing to get their cars to where they want. This is insiprational man, thank you a bunch!

mizboo102

Sounds like an RX-7 Glad you got it back on the road